Post 2125 strengthens the theory that the mosque is booby-trapped:
Iraq: Foreigners threatening mosque
National conference troubled by protests, attacks
Sunday, August 15, 2004 Posted: 4:44 PM EDT (2044 GMT)
The Imam Ali mosque serves as camp for supports of al-Sadr.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Twenty-five heavily armed foreigners holed up inside the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf have rigged it with explosives and are threatening to blow up the building if attacked, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said Sunday in a written statement.
The statement said the interim Iraqi government has ordered national guard forces not to target the mosque, and not to approach it.
The mosque, in the center of Najaf, is a holy site to Shiite Muslims. They believe it houses the tomb of the Prophet Muhammed's cousin and son-in-law. (snip)
http://www.newsignored.com/