Militants take control of key Iraqi cities

SHI'ITE Muslim militants were in full control of two key Iraqi cities yesterday as violence escalated and Sunni fighters killed a US marine in the battle for Fallujah.

Gunmen, mainly from the militia led by radical Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have full control over the southern cities of Kut, Kufa and the central part of Najaf. Other young Shi'ites don't seem to be joining the al-Sadr militias.

Iraq's interior minister resigned at the request of top US administrator Paul Bremer, to maintain balance between Sunni and Shi'ite factions on the governing council. It was unclear if the resignation of Nuri al-Badran was also connected with the failure of Iraqi police to confront insurgents.