Five hostages released in Iraq; Clashes in Najaf before truce implementation

The governor of Najaf, Adnan al-Zarafi, denied news on signing an agreement to a cease fire between the supporters of the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader and the American forces in Najaf.

Al-Zarafi said that al-Mahdi army asked for a 24 hour truce in order to be able to transfer the wounded and deal with damages inflicted in the city as a result of the fighting which have been taking place since 5 days between the American forces supported by the Iraqi national guards forces and members of al-Mahdi army who are fortifying their forces in the city's cemetery.

However, Ahmad al-Sheibani, the spokesman for the office of al-Sader in Najaf said that the truce was made at a proposal by the governor and after he had received instructions from the side of Muqtada al-Sader. He said that al-Mahdi army is ready for any peace initiative that avoids civilians the bloodshed.