Peace delegation 'can't find escort'

A delegation of Iraqis meant to help negotiate an end to the uprising in Najaf was forced today to delay its mission to the holy city when it could not get a military escort for the dangerous journey.

The 60 mediators from Iraq’s National Conference had planned to leave early today to meet radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and appeal to his followers to put down their arms and join Iraq’s political process.

However, by early afternoon, they still remained at the conference site in central Baghdad.

“The US troops and Iraqi police refused to escort the delegation, they are afraid for its safety because they themselves are being targeted by militants,” said delegate Ahmad al Hayali.

The conference itself was considered a major target for militants waging a 16-month-old insurgency in the country.

The deadly showdown between US troops and Iraqi militants, whose loyalists have been battling the Americans from Najaf’s vast cemetery and revered Imam Ali Shrine since August 5, has dominated the three-day conference.

Explosions and gunfire shook the streets of Najaf today as the clashes there persisted and US troops entered the flashpoint Old City neighbourhood.