Spokesmen for Mr. Sadr said Monday that his forces would continue to resist. But many of the Shiite men who answered his call to come to Najaf and join his militia are leaving the city, residents said Monday. Small groups of men could be seen trudging away from the shrine on Monday afternoon. 'They're running like deer,' said Haidar Abdul-Hussein, a baker from the area. 'We know them because they're strangers, not from Najaf. Some even ask directions.' Mr. Abdul-Hussein, who lives on the western edge of the Old City, said he first began seeing fighters leave about three or four days ago.... Mr. Sadr himself has not been seen for more than a week, and aides refused to disclose his whereabouts again on Monday." The destruction and anarchy wrought by the uprising has turned the population against him in this case, making a recruit for the Iraqi police.

Haydar Hasan Abdullah wandered the twisting streets of this ancient city on Monday looking for a fight. He was not seeking to battle American troops who have encircled one of Islam's holiest shrines for nearly three weeks. Instead, he wanted a shot at militants loyal to cleric Muqtada Sadr who are hiding beneath its gleaming gold dome. 'There are some fighters among the group of Muqtada who are actually saboteurs who have done such bad things to the city of Najaf,' said Abdullah, who was searching for the police station on Monday to offer himself as a recruit. 'We feel so sorry for what is happening to kids, women, and innocent other people. We are quite prepared to do whatever the government wants us to do.' "

Col. Dewitt Mayfield, senior planner for US forces in Iraq said in a news conference on Tuesday

"We want them to take charge so we can get the heck out of here,' said . 'It's their country, a sovereign government. Not very good, maybe, but sovereign.' Since the US-led occupation authority transferred power to the Iraqis on June 28, the chain of command has kept its structure but changed personnel. 'It's civilian control of the military,' said Maj. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who commands the 1st Cavalry. 'That's what our system's all about.' Except now the civilians are not Americans. At the austere desert headquarters of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit outside Najaf, war plans were being made last week in marathon meetings kicked off by Iraq's defense minister, Hazim Shalan. 'He sets the tone,' an officer who was present said."