BAGHDAD, Aug 26 (AFP) - Iraq`s interim government has accepted an initiative put foward by the country`s top Shiite cleric to bring peace to the holy city of Najaf, state minister Kassem Daoud said late Thursday.
"We have announced that we have accepted the solution of peace that has been presented to us by his eminence Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani," Daoud told a news conference broadcast live on CNN television news.
"Sayed (honorific) Moqtada Sadr is free to go anywhere he like and as far as I hear... probably he will stay in his house in Najaf, but he is as free as any Iraqi citizen to do whatever he likes," he said speaking in English.
The disbanded US-led occupation authority had issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the murder of a rival cleric last year.
"We have agreed to the desire to open the way for guests to enter the holy shrine and visit the prophet, then leave any time before 10:00 am tomorrow (Friday) morning," he added.
A spokesman for the ayatollah said earlier in Najaf that the rebel cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose fighters are holed up in the shrine, had accepted his initiative for peace.
Sistani, treated to a euphoric welcome since returning from medical treatment in London on Wednesday, has signalled that he wants all armed groups to disarm and leave Najaf and Kufa, along with all foreign troops.
In his five-point plan, Iraqi police would assume responsibility for security and law and order in the two cities and the interim government would compensate those who have suffered in the weeks of heavy fighting.
Sistani has also called on the Iraqi government to allow people who accompanied him on his journey to enter the Imam Ali shrine before leaving at the latest by 10:00 am (0600 GMT) on Friday.