One senior Mahdi Army commander said the cease-fire is still in effect, and he blames Iraq's security forces for the current impasse.

NPR: Clashes with Militants Test Iraqi Security Forces

Peres met with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah last weekend to discuss the initiative, which calls for talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume four weeks after a cease-fire took effect.

CNN: graphic