Friday, May 04, 2007
Sadrists in Basrah demand release of detainees while Islamic List threatens to demonstrate
Security, Politics
(Al Mashriq Newspaper) - The Islamic List’s leaders in Basrah’s Provincial Council have threatened to demonstrate, next week unless the national government approves their dismissal of Basrah’s Governor. During tense security situations and clashes between British forces and the followers of the young Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadr and the arrest on Monday of Sheikh Salih Al Jizani, a Sadr Movement leader.
During a recent press conference, Qasim Al Fayadh, an Islamic List and Basrah Council Member, said “The List threatens to demonstrate in Basrah, unless the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Council approves the Provincial Council’s decision to ‘dismiss’ Basrah’s Governor.” Al Fayadh denied the accusations which Basrah’s Governor (Al Waili) has made against SCIRI [that SCIRI is encouraging Basrah’s people to oppose the Governor]. Al Fayadh said, “Many of Basrah’s parties and movements – including the Islamic List and independent entities – have demanded the Governor’s dismissal… Because, he has failed to manage the Province’s security file and has failed to stop the assassinations which occur in Basrah.”
Sources reported that Basrah’s Governor – Muhammed Musbah Al Waili, has left Basrah city under an escort by British forces and has moved to an undisclosed location. Salam Al Maliki, a Sadr Movement Member of Parliament, blames the Occupation forces and Iraq’s government for exacerbating the situation in Basrah.
Salam Al Maliki added, during an announcement, “After yesterday’s clashes between Sadr Movement elements and British forces in a number of Basrah’s neighborhoods, plus the arrests of a religious man/cleric (Sheikh Salih Al Jizani) and his five brothers. We can say ‘There is an organized campaign (in Basrah) against the elements of the Mahdi Army and the Al Sadr Martyr’s office' and, we demand the release of 315 detainees - Mahdi Army members and politicians - who are being held in the Occupation force’s prisons.”
During a recent press conference, Qasim Al Fayadh, an Islamic List and Basrah Council Member, said “The List threatens to demonstrate in Basrah, unless the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Council approves the Provincial Council’s decision to ‘dismiss’ Basrah’s Governor.” Al Fayadh denied the accusations which Basrah’s Governor (Al Waili) has made against SCIRI [that SCIRI is encouraging Basrah’s people to oppose the Governor]. Al Fayadh said, “Many of Basrah’s parties and movements – including the Islamic List and independent entities – have demanded the Governor’s dismissal… Because, he has failed to manage the Province’s security file and has failed to stop the assassinations which occur in Basrah.”
Sources reported that Basrah’s Governor – Muhammed Musbah Al Waili, has left Basrah city under an escort by British forces and has moved to an undisclosed location. Salam Al Maliki, a Sadr Movement Member of Parliament, blames the Occupation forces and Iraq’s government for exacerbating the situation in Basrah.
Salam Al Maliki added, during an announcement, “After yesterday’s clashes between Sadr Movement elements and British forces in a number of Basrah’s neighborhoods, plus the arrests of a religious man/cleric (Sheikh Salih Al Jizani) and his five brothers. We can say ‘There is an organized campaign (in Basrah) against the elements of the Mahdi Army and the Al Sadr Martyr’s office' and, we demand the release of 315 detainees - Mahdi Army members and politicians - who are being held in the Occupation force’s prisons.”
Labels: Basra Provincial Council, British forces, Islamic List, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Muhammed Musbah Al Waili, Salam Al Maliki, Sheikh Salih Al Jizani
