Iraqi PM Calls On Militia To Surrender In Najaf

BAGHDAD, Aug 12 (AFP) - Iraq`s interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi on Thursday demanded Shiite Muslim militiamen surrender and evacuate the shrine in the holy city of Najaf, after eight days of heavy fighting.
"Our government calls on all armed groups to drop weapons and return to civil society. The political process is open to everyone and all are invited to take part," said a statement from Allawi read out by the interior minister.
"We also call on armed men to evacuate the holy shrine and not to violate their holiness," added Falah al-Naqib at the press conference.
The shutdown of a vital oil pipeline in southern Iraq following the threat of militia attacks has led to losses of about 60 million dollars, the statement added.