Iraq's Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday urged his supporters to keep fighting against US forces even if he was killed or captured.

"Keep fighting even if you see me a prisoner or a martyr, God willing. You will be victorious," Sadr said in a statement.

He said that he still wanted Iraq to remain united, adding he also thanked "those who tried to resolve the crisis peacefully."

Sadr's Mehdi Army militia has been battling US-led forces in central and southern Iraq for the seventh straight day, including the holy city of Najaf, which has come under bombardment.

At least 30 people were killed and 219 others wounded in clashes between US forces and Shiite militiamen in Iraqi cities within the past 24 hours, Iraqi Health Ministry said Wednesday.

A spokesman for the ministry said that most casualties were civilians and the figure did not include those wounded among foreign forces or in Najaf.

US military figures put militia deaths at about 360 in Najaf so far, while Sadr's spokesmen contended there were far fewer of their men being killed.