BAGHDAD, Aug. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The proposed handover of Imam Ali shrine to the Shiite religious leadership has suspended, radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's aides were quoted as saying Sunday by Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite channel.

    "We do not know how long it will take. It all depends on the situation and Sistani," Sadr's top aide Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani said in Najaf.

     "The handover is suspended now because we are awaiting the response from Sistani about forming a committee to work out a full inventory of the shrine's priceless works of art and alms," said Shaibani.

   Two days ago, spokesmen for both Sadr and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani announced the deal to hand over the keys of the shrine, which the Mehdi Army have occupied since their April uprising, to the latter.

   Sistani's aides have been reluctant to take back the shrine without ensuring that nothing is missing; meanwhile, the Mehdi Army is unwilling to surrender control amid any suggestion of impropriety.

    The handover of the keys means that the Mehdi Army members will withdraw from the shrine and accept the conditions put forward by the Iraqi national conference held last week in Baghdad that the Mehdi Army is dissolved and changed into a political entity.

    However, the transfer bogged down Saturday amid arguments among Shiite leaders over its implementation. Sadr's aides said they tried to give the shrine's keys to Sistani's representatives, who refused to accept them.

    Sheik Ali Smeisim, Sadr's chief lieutenant, said the militants will not leave until a delegation from Sistani's office inspects the shrine to ensure its treasures are intact, so they will not be accused of taking anything.  Enditem