Baghdad (AsiaNews) "Moqtad al-Sadr welcomed the Holy See's offer to mediate the crisis in Najaf," Mgr. Fernando Filoni, Apostolic Nuncio in Baghdad, told AsiaNews citing sources from al-Arabiya television network.
In a radio interview yesterday, Angelo Cardinal Sodano, stated the Holy See was willing to offer its "Good Offices" to save the holy city of Najaf where US and Iraqi troops have been preparing an offensive against Moqtada al-Sadr's rebel militias.
Mgr. Filoni said "Cardinal Sodano reaffirmed the Church's willingness to use her "Good Offices" to seek a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict. It is still however to be determined what the intentions of the warring parties are. The Holy See made it clear that it would act as a go-between; nothing more."
What is going to happen in Najaf?
"No one can predict. We must wait and see what happens. Currently, there is no reliable information to have an informed opinion about the outcome of what is going on."
Is Moqtad al-Sadr a credible partner? Is he truly willing to negotiate a ceasefire?
"We'll have to accept him as a partner if he shows he is willing to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, but it is useless to speculate until he reveals his true intentions."