Najaf, July 01: American troops today detained the U.S. appointed mayor of this Shiite-dominated southern city, accusing him of kidnapping and corruption and arresting 62 of his top aides, the military said. Abu Haydar Abdul Mun'im was installed by the Americans shortly after they entered this city in April, but the former Iraqi army colonel was unpopular among the local population because of his military background. He was replaced by Haydar Mahdi Mattar al Mayali, a former deputy in the mayor's office. Coalition forces made the arrest at the request of an Iraqi investigative judge in Najaf, said a statement by the U.S.-led provisional authority. ``They have been investigating these allegations for some time before concluding that there is sufficient evidence to warrant arrest'', the statement said. ``These allegations are very serious''.

U.S. Forces today blocked the entrance to Mun'im' offices and would not let reporters enter.

``There is a mission in progress'', one marine said.

In addition to kidnapping, Mun'im stands accused of holding hostages, pressuring government employees to commit financial crimes, and attacking a bank official.

In recent weeks, residents of Najaf, 180 kms southwest of Baghdad, have held demonstrations against Mun'im, accusing him of links to the Baath party of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

His ouster was expected to be met with satisfaction in the town.

Bureau Report