In August , a full-fledged battle erupted between the militia and the Americans , a battle that ended when Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani , the country 's most powerful Shiite cleric and a resident of Najaf , persuaded Mr. Sadr to lay down his arms .
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
Najaf
/people/person/place_lived
PERSON
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
LOCATION
Najaf