Diplomatic bid to head off US assault on Holy city

Diplomatic efforts to end a standoff between US troops and an anti-American cleric in one of the holiest cities in Shiite Islam pressed forward today and an Iraqi leader said he saw “flexibility” on the side of the charismatic cleric, who heads a militia with several thousand members.

US commanders said they expect to soon rotate some of the troops surrounding Najaf, a sign that imminent combat is not expected.