| Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani the leading Shi'ite Muslim cleric in Iraq , has told the United States not to enter the holy city of Najaf in pursuit of Moqtada al-Sadr. In a show of strength of his position against the young upstart Moqtada al-Sadr, Sistani is showing he is the man the occupation forces have to deal with, and he is the person who will be involved in the political process which will see the occupation forces handing over political power to the majority Shi'ite. Moqtada al-Sadr's mini battles with the Americans have suited Sistani as they have given the occupation forces a taste of what can be unleashed should the need arise. In reality al-Sadr is a small player which Sistani can slap around and most likely a deal has been reached which will see the Americans not entering Najaf to capture al-Sadr, but rather see him being picked up in a few months time after the hand-over of power. |