NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 20 (AFP) - Rebel Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr`s Mehdi Army are to leave the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf after handing over the keys under an agreement with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a Sadr spokesman said Friday.
"We went to Sistani`s office this morning to agree on giving up the keys to the mausoleum. His office called Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in London, who agreed to take the keys," Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani told AFP.
"A delegation from Sistani`s office must come to the mausoleum and we will give them the keys," he added.
"The visitors, human shields and militiamen will then leave the shrine and its doors will be closed," he said, without giving a timeframe.