US offers peace plan to holy Iraqi city

US officials have proposed that a radical Shiite cleric’s militia withdraw over a 72-hour period from Najaf, the governor of the holy Shiite city said today.

In return, the American troops would stay away from Shiite holy sites in the twin cities of Najaf and Kufa and ”reposition” their forces, according to US appointed Governor Adnan al-Zurufi.

The Americans would maintain a presence through joint patrols with Iraqi security forces, he added.

Al-Zurufi said the proposal was contained in a letter from coalition authorities as part of ongoing deliberations to save a rapidly crumbling ceasefire in Najaf and Kufa which was announced last Thursday by Shiite leaders.

“The elements who came from outside Najaf would leave behind the weapons inside the province and those would be turned over to coalition authorities,” al-Zurufi said of the letter’s proposal.

There was no comment from the US military.