PORTO ROTONDO, Aug 17: Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and British counterpart Tony Blair issued a cautionary statement on Tuesday to US President George Bush and the new Iraqi government to resolve the conflict in Najaf without damaging its holy site.

It came as heavy fighting shook the historic heart of Najaf and delegates from a key national conference attempted to persuade militia leader Moqtada Sadr to abandon his stronghold at the Imam Ali shrine.

The statement emerged at the end of a relaxed private visit by Mr Blair and wife Cherie to Mr Berlusconi's holiday mansion here. Pictures of Mr Berlusconi sporting a piratical white bandana over his bald pate during a walkabout with the couple at one of Sardinia's exclusive marinas dominated newspapers here on Tuesday.

By contrast, the statement issued after private talks during the 24-hour visit expressed sober concern at a military situation in Iraq which appears to be spiralling out of the control of US-backed Iraqi forces.

"Italy and the UK are committed to a future of peace for the Iraqi people and the protection of the holy sites, respecting an ancient civilization which rejects violence and terrorism," it added.

This was a pointed reference to the concern of President George Bush's close allies that more bloodshed and damage to the city's holy site could serve to further inflame radical opposition to the fledgling Iraqi government, and foreign troops in the country. -AFP