Coalition to accept Najaf truce
The coalition wants Sadr's militia disbanded
The US-led coalition says it is ready to play its part in ending the fighting with the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.
A US spokesman said forces would suspend offensive operations to allow a truce offer by Mr Sadr to take effect.
Mr Sadr offered to withdraw fighters if the US pulls its forces out and shelves a murder inquiry against him.
US spokesman Dan Senor said they would suspend enforcing the arrest warrant against Mr Sadr.
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Mr Sadr has led an insurgency against coalition forces in Iraq since April.
He is wanted in connection with the assassination of a rival cleric in April 2003.
Mr Senor told a news conference in Baghdad that coalition troops would remain in Najaf until Iraqi security forces can resume their operations there and take control of strategic buildings from Mr Sadr's fighters.
"Until that time, coalition forces will suspend offensive operations but will continue to provide security by carrying out presence patrols," Mr Senor.
Correspondents say the US is anxious to resolve the situation in Najaf before power is transferred to an interim Iraqi government on 30 June.
Deal struck
Earlier, Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowafak Al-Rubaie had told a news conference he "understood that the coalition will honour and respect [Mr Sadr's] deal".
"The coalition authorities are aware of and have followed the negotiations very closely. They gave the talks their blessing and have promised to respect the agreement," he said.
He said the agreement had been reached between Mr Sadr and Shia members of the Iraqi Governing Council.
Under its terms, Mr Sadr would order his fighters from outside Najaf to leave the city and local militiamen entrenched around the Imam Ali Mosque to lay down their arms.
The future of the Mehdi Army would also be subject to discussion.
Mr Rubaie said the militia would hand over control of Najaf to local police.
Fierce fighting
On Wednesday, US troops seized Mr Sadr's close aide and brother-in-law, Sayyed Ryad al-Nuri, during raids in Najaf.
Hundreds of fighters loyal to Mr Sadr are believed to have been killed in fighting in Najaf, Karbala and Kufa since the Mehdi Army began its uprising against coalition forces in early April.
Clashes around Iraqi holy sites have angered many Iraqi Shias and there have been increasing calls for Mr Sadr and coalition forces to end the fighting.
Three US marines, meanwhile, were killed during an operation in the western Anbar province, while three Iraqis died when a roadside bomb exploded south-west of Baghdad, the US military said on Thursday.
UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has announced that a further 370 British troops are being deployed to Iraq, bringing the total contingent to 8,900.
He told parliament that the issue of whether to send a significant number of extra troops to the country remained open.