U.S. forces in Iraq have captured a key aide to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, during a series of overnight raids in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf

U.S. forces in Iraq have captured a key aide to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, during a series of overnight raids in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. Meanwhile, the Coalition Provisional Authority announced the formation of a new task force to provide compensation to victims of the former regime. American Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said coalition forces captured Riyad al-Nouri, who is considered to be a key lieutenant and relative of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. “He [al-Nouri] is being handed over to Iraqi authorities to comply with an outstanding warrant for his arrest in connection with the murder of Ayatollah Abdul Majid al-Khoei, in April 2003,” he announced. Ayatollah al-Khoei was a prominent Shi'ite cleric who was killed in Najaf after he had just returned from exile in London. Moqtada al-Sadr is also wanted in connection with his murder. At the same briefing, Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman Dan Senor announced the formation of a special task force to determine compensation for victims of Saddam Hussein's regime.