Three U.S. Marines were killed in action Wednesday west of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
A statement from the command said the deaths took place in Anbar province "while conducting security and stability operations."
Meanwhile, Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr agreed Wednesday to withdraw his fighters from Najaf and hand the city back to Iraqi police, the government said.
The announcement by Iraq's National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie took place after clashes late Tuesday and early Wednesday between U.S. forces and al Sadr's fighters killed 24 people and wounded nearly 50, The AP reported.
"We sense a strong will of wanting to get to a peaceful settlement," al-Rubaie said of all parties. "That's everybody's drive and everybody's motive."
Al-Rubaie said the deal calls for discussions within the majority Shiite community about the future role of al-Sadr's al-Mahdi Army and whether the "murder" case against him should be pursued.
In a signed statement, Sadr called for the postponement of legal proceedings against him over his alleged role in the murder of a rival cleric and called for a "broad discussion" on the future of his Mehdi Army.
In his statement, cited by AFP, Sadr said he had agreed to a four-point plan "to put an end to the tragic situation in Najaf and the violation of the sanctity of the sacred shrine of Imam Ali" which was damaged during the clashes. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
