11:51pm UK, Friday August 20, 2004

Iraqi insurgents are reportedly still in control of a key shrine in Najaf - despite claims that the government has seized control.  

There have been conflicting reports about the situation at the Imam Ali mosque - which has served as a stronghold for cleric Moqtada al Sadr.

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Supporters of al Sadr

Earlier, Iraq's Interior Ministry said police had entered the compound and arrested 400 militia.           

"The Iraqi police are now in control of the shrine, along with the religious authorities," said a senior ministry spokesman.

But Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic, an American military spokesman said: "Right now, we cannot confirm that."           

He was also unable to confirm reports that al Sadr had fled overnight.           

A senior aide to the rebel cleric rejected all suggestions the shrine had been taken over."(It) is in the control of the Mehdi Army," said Sheikh Ahmad al-Sheibani, a senior commander in Sadr's Mehdi Army militia.

"Procedures are under way to hand over control of the shrine to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani," he added.

Najaf was said to be calm, although there have been reports of fighting near the shrine.          

Earlier, Al Sadr followers said they were prepared to give up the shrine to end the uprising.

An aide said he was on his way to the office of al Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric, to hand over the keys.

Al Sadr and his militia have fought a two-week battle in Najaf against US-led forces in which hundreds of people have been killed.           

:: The US journalist in kidnapped in Iraq Micah Garen has urged America to "stop the slaughter" in Najaf in a video aired on the Arabic al Jazeera news channel.