Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr was wounded in clashes in the holy city of Najaf, his spokesman said on Friday.

Al-Sadr, who has led an uprising against coalition and Iraqi troops for more than a week, is said to be holed up in the sacred compound housing the Imam Ali mosque, surrounded by his followers.

The news came hours after Prime Minister Iyad Allawi urged fighters loyal to al-Sadr to lay down their arms.

Allawi said the fighters should leave the shrine.