Al-Sistani brokers Najaf peace deal

Rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr tonight agreed to a peace deal presented by top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al-Sistani to end three weeks of fighting in the holy city of Najaf, according to a top aide to al-Sistani.

“Mr Muqtada al-Sadr agreed to the initiative of his eminence al-Sistani,” Hamed al-Khafaf told reporters at a news conference outside the house where al-Sistani was staying in the city. “You will hear good news soon from the government and Mr Muqtada al-Sadr.”