Sadr Asks Vatican to Help Settle Najaf Standoff
-- Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr invited Pope John Paul II to try to mediate an end to the standoff in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, Agence France-Presse reported, citing an aide to the cleric. ``We welcome the offer from the Pope at the Vatican and we invite him to solve the crisis,'' AFP cited Sheikh Ahmed al- Shaibani, as saying. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican secretary of state, said yesterday the Pope would mediate if asked, AFP reported.
| "Yes, by Allan! You're the ultimate hostage!" |
But first you must convert, my son and I'll handle your confrimation, personnally.... mostly because I'd love to slap the shit out of you.
Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia this month began a second uprising against the U.S.-led coalition in southern Iraqi cities, after a monthlong rebellion that started in April. Iraq's national conference, which is meeting in Baghdad, is sending a delegation to Najaf to call on al-Sadr to withdraw his fighters from their positions around the Imam Ali shrine, the holiest Shiite Muslim site, AFP reported. |