Gee, all of a sudden people don't want to be arrested by the Americans. Go figure. Shia leaders offer deal to militant Leaders of Iraq's largest Shia Muslim tribes have offered renegade cleric Muqtada al-Sadr a face-saving deal -- and an ultimatum -- to leave the holy city of Najaf. The arrangement would give al-Sadr a chance to avoid humiliation by surrendering to the tribal leaders instead of being arrested by U.S. troops. But it would still require him to stand trial in an Iraqi court in the assassination of a rival cleric last year. It would also require al-Sadr to disarm his militia, the Mahdi Army, which has been fighting with U.S. forces for more than a month....."
Sistani is turning out to be a powerful force for good. I and most people were worried that he'd be another Khomeni (sp?) but has acted more like George Washington. I guess everything unexpected development isn't bad. As long as the Sunni's don't feel overly intimidated by the ********es, and as long as each tribe polices their own, this whole thing could work out very nicely.
??? I guess you don't follow the "occupation" thread. They've been negotiating with al-Sadr for a few weeks now.