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.