The Iraq war begins: Shia Muslim cleric assassinated

"A revered Shia Muslim cleric was assassinated today in the holy city of Najaf after returning from exile in London to act as a peacebroker.

Abdul Majid al-Khoei, 41, was stabbed to death at the shrine of Imam Ali, one of Shia Islam's holiest sites."

* Independent

* Swissinfo

* BBC