Sadr wounded, wants ceasefire

Boston.com:

Iraqi officials and aides to a radical Shiite cleric were trying to negotiate an end to nine days of fighting in the holy city of Najaf on Friday, after U.S. forces suspended an offensive against Muqtada al-Sadr's militia, officials said. Aides said al-Sadr had been wounded by shrapnel.

Seems like good news to me. Some will say that we are being to soft on Sadr and his militia. I don't agree. We have to remember that violence is an accepted method of solving political disputes in the Middle East and it will take some time to change this perception. Giving second, and even third, chances to rebels is probably a good policy in this environment so long as we make it clear that we will never give up and our will is not going to be broken.