Pakistan Parliament Denounces U.S. Action In Iraqi Holy City

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (AFP) - Pakistan's parliament Tuesday condemned US attacks near the holy Muslim shrine of Imam Ali in the Iraqi city of Najaf and demanded the withdrawal of occupying forces from Iraq.
The condemnation came in a resolution adopted unanimously by the senate after a debate in which ruling and opposition senators described the US-led invasion of Iraq as unjustified, the official Associated Press of Pakistan said.
"The senate of Pakistan condemns the action of the occupying forces in Najaf Ashraf and calls upon them to restrain their action on the holy shrine," the resolution said.
The house also called for the "cessation of hostilities throughout Iraq," it said.
Najaf houses the mausoleum of Imam Ali, one of Shiite Islam's holiest shrines. The Mehdi Army has occupied the complex since their April uprising and fighting has been continuing near the shrine for almost three weeks.