Iraqi rebel forces 'in control of large city areas'

Militiaman loyal to an anti-US Shiite cleric controlled large swathes of three Iraqi cities today after clashes with US-led coalition forces, while US marines backed by airstrikes fought insurgents for the second day around a mosque in the Sunni Muslim stronghold of Fallujah.

Fighting this week has left at least 459 Iraqis and 35 Americans dead.