Iraqi leaders propose deal on al-Sadr

Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will end his violent standoff with American troops if the US-led coalition postpones its legal case against him and sets up an Iraqi force to patrol his stronghold of Najaf, Iraqi leaders in the city said today.

About 40 Iraqi political leaders, including a senior aide to al-Sadr, agreed on the proposal at a meeting at the most prominent shrine in the holy Shiite city, where American forces have fought the cleric’s fighters this month.

The violence comes as US forces try to improve security ahead of a June 30 deadline for the restoration of sovereignty to Iraqis.

There was no immediate response from the coalition to the offer from Najaf, but the new US-appointed governor of the city offered earlier in the day to defer murder charges against al-Sadr if the young firebrand disbands his militia.

Mansour al-Assadi, a senior tribal leader, said a proposed deal would require all armed groups in Najaf to withdraw from the city, a step that would defuse rising tension among rival Iraqi groups.

In exchange, murder charges against al-Sadr would be postponed until a permanent constitution is adopted next year, and would be tried by an Islamic court.

Qays al-Khaz’ali, a senior aide to al-Sadr, attended the meeting and confirmed that participants agreed on an offer to end the standoff.

Adnan al-Zurufi, who was appointed Najaf governor last week, said he will ask the US-led administration to delay legal proceedings against al-Sadr until after the Americans transfer power to a new Iraqi administration June 30.