Iraqi cleric rules out surrender: "A truce holds in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, but radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr vows victory or death."
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Ukraine Vows to Maintain Troops in Iraq: "Ukraine, one of the largest contributors of troops to Iraq, announced that a fresh brigade would be sent to replace the one rotating home this fall."
In New York Times: World Special
Protests in Iran at Najaf actions: "Thousands of Iranians hold protests at what they call "atrocities" by US forces in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf."
In BBC: Conflict with Iraq
UN staff arrive back in Baghdad: "The United Nations returns international staff to Iraq, nearly a year after a deadly bomb on their Baghdad HQ."
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Iraqi cleric has UK heart surgery: "Iraq's most influential Shia leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, has heart treatment in London."
In BBC: Conflict with Iraq
Israel considers giving up Golan Heights: "Israel could give up all of the Golan Heights for peace with Syria without compromising security, the army chief said in an interview published Friday, undercutting the contention of successive governments that Israel needs to keep at least a slice of the plateau."
In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Aides for Iraqi cleric press for amnesty: "U.S. forces suspended a major offensive against militants in Najaf on Friday, and aides to Muqtada al-Sadr told Iraqi negotiators that radical Shiite cleric was prepared to disarm his followers in exchange for a list of demands including an American withdrawal from the holy city and amnesty for all his fighters."
In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
U.S. soldier arraigned on Abu Ghraib abuse charges: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A soldier accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad has been arraigned on charges including maltreatment of subordinates, dereliction of duties, and committing indecent acts with detainees, the military said Friday."
In Fresno Bee: Iraq
Sadr Vows To Fight Until Death Or Victory: "
Reuters reports that Sadr vows to stay in his Najaf stronghold until victory or death:
""I will not leave this holy city," he told his fighters, who chanted "no, no to America" in response. "We will remain here defending the holy shrines till victory or martyrdom."
A Sadr spokesman had earlier said the cleric would pull his forces out of Najaf if U.S. forces also withdrew and religious authorities agreed to administer the city's sacred sites, the holiest for Iraq's majority Shi'ite Muslims.
But the fiery speech, designed to rally militia fighters who have suffered heavy losses against U.S. warplanes and tanks, appeared to reject earlier government overtures for a deal to end the confrontation.
In Command Post: Irak
Powell Denounces Iraqi Insurgent Leader: "Denouncing Iraqi insurgent leader Muqtada al-Sadr and his militia as outlaws, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday U.S. forces were "squeezing" Najaf in an effort to restore order and establish the authority of the Iraqi interim government. (AP)"
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Najaf Cemetery Becomes Killing Field: "The platoon leader's call came crackling over Charlie Company radios: "We're taking RPG fire, 800 meters! Small arms fire, 300 meters!" (AP)"
In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Sadr Calls on Iraqi Govt to Quit, Vows to Fight On: "Radical cleric Moqtada al-SadrFriday urged Iraq's "dictatorial" interim government to resignand said his militia would fight U.S. forces in the holy cityof Najaf until death or victory, his spokesman said. (Reuters)"
In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
New U.N. Envoy to Iraq Calls for Peace: "The new U.N. envoy to Iraq called for an end to the ongoing violence in the holy city of Najaf as he met with government officials Friday, establishing the world body's first official presence here since a series of deadly bombings forced it out last year. (AP)"
In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
