A prominent Shia cleric is putting the lie to Iraqi claims that we’ve been attacking mosques. Also, if his account is true, it’s good news, at least for Najaf:

Kho’i had earlier been cited as saying that Iraqi militiamen were using residents in Najaf as “human shields” around holy sites against the invading troops. The cleric, who arrived in Najaf last Tuesday from his usual base in London, told IRNA that life in the holy city was very much back to normal.

“Restaurants, shops and the grand bazaar are currently open and the only problem is the lack of power which force shops to close earlier,” he said.

Kho’i described Najaf “very secure and calm”, saying the city was completely in the hands of its residents and the last remnants of Iraqi militiamen from the ruling Ba’th party and Saddam’s suicide Fedayeen forces in the city had “either gone to hell or been captured or fled”.