US Starts to Set up Transitional Iraqi Administration in Al-Najaf

The United States has set up a puppet transitional administration in the Iraqi city of Al-Najaf, which has a population of 500,000 people. The administration was set up on Sunday following a meeting between US commanding staff in the city, the local authorities and elders of local tribes, the Saudi Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reports.

The interim administration will focus on restoring the city's communications, the newspaper reports.

According to the newspaper, participants of the meeting agreed that US military would not approach Shia holy sites.

On Monday, foreign journalists are expected to arrive in Al-Najaf to attend a US press conference with members of the city's transitional administration.