U.S. commanders reduce troops around Najaf in hopes Iraqis will solve the problem
The US army is reducing the size of the force it has built up outside the Iraqi city of Najaf.
The Americans are said to be prepared to wait before moving against rebel cleric Moqtada al Sadr.
Colonel Dana Pittard, commander of the 2,500-strong 3rd Brigade Task Force outside Najaf, said the force would be withdrawn over coming days.
It would be replaced by about 2,000 soldiers from the 1st Armoured Division.
The US military had earlier said it planned to kill or capture Sadr, who is holed up in Najaf, and destroy his Mehdi Army militia.
But negotiations are under way through intermediaries to find a peaceful solution to the stand-off.
Iraqi clerics have warned that if US troops move into the holy city it could spark fury and cause a fresh eruption of unrest.
"Because of where negotiations are right now, we can wait," Col. Pittard said. "We still want Iraqis to solve the problem."
I hope the brass know what they're doing and I'm sure they do.
These guys are showing admirable restraint and composure and as unpopular as I've heard al-Sadr and his "army" are, the locals may well take care of the situation in Najaf without a firefight involving our fine young men and women in uniform... but then again, it may not.
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