Militants urged to hand over shrine

US forces and Shiite militants fought fierce battles today marked by explosions and gunfire near a revered shrine in Najaf, as the US military stepped up pressure on the insurgents to quickly hand over the holy site to Shiite religious authorities.

Tanks approached within 250 yards of the Imam Ali Shrine, where many militants have sought refuge, the closest they have come to the compound in recent days. US snipers were on rooftops around the shrine, witnesses said.