AHORA SÍ QUE VA EN SERIO: creo que al cleriguito borderline, Muqtada al-Sadr, y sus 2000 muchachotes tienen las horas contadas:

U.S. Marines have taken over as the lead multinational force in the holy city of Najaf, where radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr vowed Monday to fight American troops to the death.

Members of al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militia are holed up in the city's Imam Ali Shrine, one of the holiest sites in Shiite Islam.

"I will keep on resisting, and I am staying in Najaf and won't leave it till the last day of my life," al-Sadr said. "My stay is to defend Najaf, the holiest place."

U.S. officials have accused al-Sadr of fomenting unrest. He is wanted in connection with the killing of a rival cleric last year.

Meanwhile, the governor of Najaf, Adnan al-Zurufi, gave permission Monday for military operations in the previously restricted area immediately surrounding the Imam Ali Shrine, a spokesman said.

At a briefing Monday afternoon, a senior U.S. commander said al-Zurufi had approved the operations in coordination with the Iraqi National Guard.

The Mehdi Army is operating "contrary to the laws of armed conflict," the commander said, leading the military to view the area as "a legitimate military target."

Adiós, chaval.