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US Officials Announce Deal in Fallujah - 2004-04-19


US officials in Iraq have announced an agreement with local leaders in the restive city of Fallujah.

US spokesman Dan Senor said Monday in Baghdad that under the deal, coalition forces will not resume offensive operations if all Fallujah residents turn in their illegal heavy weapons.

The parties also agreed on the need to quickly restore joint patrols of coalition and Iraqi forces in the restive city. The Marines will also allow freer distribution of food, medicine and medical care in Fallujah.

Fighting between US forces and Sunni Muslim insurgents broke out in Fallujah after the brutal killing of four American civilian contractors by an Iraqi mob there earlier this month. Fallujah has been a flashpoint of anti-coalition violence.

Meanwhile, coalition forces continue to surround the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf. Inside the city, the militia of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr says it is observing a two-day cease-fire so Muslims can mark the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's death.

In a separate development Monday, President Bush nominated UN envoy John Negroponte as the new American ambassador to Iraq.

Ambassador Negroponte is slated to take office after June 30th, when sovereignty is handed over to the Iraqis. His nomination requires approval from the US Senate.

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