US soldiers set to move into Najaf

US troops are likely to enter parts of Najaf soon in a move to clamp down on the rebel militia of a radical Shiite cleric but they will stay away from sensitive holy sites in the centre of the city to avoid rousing the anger of Shiites, a US general said today.

Shiite leaders have warned of a possible explosion of anger among the country’s Shiite majority if US troops enter Najaf, and until now commanders have been saying troops would not go in.