Iraq's national conference is to start today, despite the surge of violence in the Shiite areas of the country.

Head of the preparatory committee, Fuad Maassum, says it is a perfect time for the conference to discuss the current problems and find solutions, CRIENGLISH.com reported Sunday.

Maassum again invited Moqtada al-Sadr to attend the conference, although the radical Shiite cleric has previously rejected the invitation.

Yesterday, truce talks aimed at ending more than a week of violence between Shiite militants and US forces in the holy city of Najaf broke down.

Iraqi National Security Adviser, Mouwaffaq al-Rubaie, says Iraq's interim government will resume military operations in Najaf.

Since last Thursday, hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting in Najaf.

CRIENGLISH.com