Najaf fighting dominates assembly meeting

IRAQI leaders met for a second day yesterday to pick an interim national assembly, but fighting in Najaf dominated the event, piling pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi to hold more talks with Shi’ite rebels.

Residents said the holy city was tense as Shi’ite militia loyal to radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr roamed the streets near the Imam Ali Mosque and an ancient cemetery, from where they have attacked US and Iraqi forces during the 12-day conflict.

“I can tell you that the Najaf fighting is dominating the whole conference. We hope this issue can be solved so we can proceed with our work,” said Hamid al-Kifaey, one delegate. Insurgents fired mortars at the meeting just hours after it opened on Sunday, killing at least two people on the edge of the fortified compound where the three-day gathering is being held.