Monday, September 17, 2007
Furtehr conflict expected between the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - More conflicts are expected to arise within the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) and the Kurdistan Coalition (KC), the leader of the secular National Dialogue Front (NDF), Saleh al-Motlaq, said on Sunday, describing the three blocs as "sectarian." Such divisions will be used to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, al-Motlaq added.
"Those who seek to set up a national salvation front will benefit from al-Sadr movement's withdrawal from the Shiite coalition and call for a vote of no confidence against al-Maliki's government," al-Motlaq told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by phone. The statements come following the withdrawal of the Sadrist bloc from the Shiite coalition and the defection of the planning minister Ali Baban from the IAF two days ago.
Denying any intention to form an opposition front to what he described as the Shiite-Kurdish bloc, al-Motlaq said, "We want to set up a national salvation front, not an opposition front." The Shiite Daawa Islamic Party, the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they said aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.
Describing the withdrawal of some political blocs from the Shiite coalition as a "national awakening," al-Motlaq claimed that the formation of "sectarian blocs" will plunge the country into an abyss of violence. The NDF holds 11 seats in the 275-member parliament.
"Those who seek to set up a national salvation front will benefit from al-Sadr movement's withdrawal from the Shiite coalition and call for a vote of no confidence against al-Maliki's government," al-Motlaq told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by phone. The statements come following the withdrawal of the Sadrist bloc from the Shiite coalition and the defection of the planning minister Ali Baban from the IAF two days ago.
Denying any intention to form an opposition front to what he described as the Shiite-Kurdish bloc, al-Motlaq said, "We want to set up a national salvation front, not an opposition front." The Shiite Daawa Islamic Party, the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they said aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.
Describing the withdrawal of some political blocs from the Shiite coalition as a "national awakening," al-Motlaq claimed that the formation of "sectarian blocs" will plunge the country into an abyss of violence. The NDF holds 11 seats in the 275-member parliament.
Labels: Iraqi Accordance Front, Kurdistan Coalition, National Dialogue Front, Saleh al-Motlaq, United Iraqi Coalition
Monday, September 10, 2007
National Dialogue Front rejons parliament
Politics
(CNN) -- A small Sunni Arab bloc ended its boycott of Iraq's parliament Saturday, boosting the appearance of national unity just days before key reports are due in Washington on Iraq's progress. Saleh al-Mutlaq, who leads the National Dialogue Front, told CNN that the Sunni Arab group's 11 members of parliament returned to the 275-seat legislature after their demands were met.
"The government has agreed to allocate funds to displaced families ... and it has agreed to delay negotiations on the oil law until after Ramadan," he said in a telephone interview from Amman, Jordan. Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, which begins next week. "We are therefore today heeding the call of the speaker to end our boycott."
Al-Mutlaq said the decision also was based in part on some U.S. policy changes in Iraq. "Americans were only talking with the Kurdish bloc and the Shiite bloc. Now, they are starting to be somehow fair," he said. "They are working with tribes to get rid of al Qaeda and putting pressure on the militias."
"The government has agreed to allocate funds to displaced families ... and it has agreed to delay negotiations on the oil law until after Ramadan," he said in a telephone interview from Amman, Jordan. Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, which begins next week. "We are therefore today heeding the call of the speaker to end our boycott."
Al-Mutlaq said the decision also was based in part on some U.S. policy changes in Iraq. "Americans were only talking with the Kurdish bloc and the Shiite bloc. Now, they are starting to be somehow fair," he said. "They are working with tribes to get rid of al Qaeda and putting pressure on the militias."
Iraq's parliament is preparing to tackle key legislation in response to U.S. benchmarks aimed at measuring Iraq's progress toward national unity. Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are to appear before Congress this week to present their assessments. "We are hoping that the Americans are realizing that the sectarian parties or Islamic parties cannot govern Iraq, and they should support the national liberal trend in Iraq," al-Mutlaq said.
In spite of the political progress, at least 15 civilians were killed in separate explosions around Iraq, officials said Saturday. At least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded Saturday evening outside a police station in the Baghdad neighborhood of Sadr City, an Interior Ministry official said. The bomb went off at 6:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. ET) in the densely populated and predominantly Shiite district.
A hand grenade exploded in a market south of the capital in Kufa, killing at least three Iraqi civilians and wounding six others Saturday afternoon, Najaf police said. Following the blast, police said Kufa and Najaf -- both major Shiite cities -- were shut down for two hours.
In spite of the political progress, at least 15 civilians were killed in separate explosions around Iraq, officials said Saturday. At least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded Saturday evening outside a police station in the Baghdad neighborhood of Sadr City, an Interior Ministry official said. The bomb went off at 6:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. ET) in the densely populated and predominantly Shiite district.
A hand grenade exploded in a market south of the capital in Kufa, killing at least three Iraqi civilians and wounding six others Saturday afternoon, Najaf police said. Following the blast, police said Kufa and Najaf -- both major Shiite cities -- were shut down for two hours.
Labels: Kufa, lockdown, National Dialogue Front, Sadr City, Saleh al-Mutlaq, suicide car bomber
Monday, August 13, 2007
Maliki threatens to replace boycotting parties with tribal leaders
Politics
(Agencies) - Sunni politicians maintained a hard line on Monday after Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki invited key Sunni and Kurdish allies to a crisis conference in a desperate bid to reach a compromise among Iraq's divided factions. It was a limited invite, including President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, Vice President Tariq Al Hashemi, a moderate Sunni, Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a Shiite, and Massoud Barzani, the leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
Abdul-Mahdi's office said he and Barzani would attend. Al Hashemi's office said it planned to give its answer later on Monday. But Iraq's minority Sunnis expressed growing anger over their perceptions of Al Maliki as a deeply biased sectarian leader with links to Iran and his failure to bring all sides together after taking office in May 2006 and promising a national unity government.
"It is one year and 4 months now that he has been in office and he is still leading a one-man rule and a sectarian policy," said Hamid Al Mutlaq, a senior member of the the National Dialogue Front, a Sunni Arab political party. "The country is on the verge of collapse."
"Is he going to give a cure after all this destruction? He has proved that he is a sectarian leader and a failure, the country is under the control of criminal gangs with thecomplete absence of an authority or government." His sharp words came a day after Iraq's most senior Sunni politician, Adnan Al Dulaimi, issued a desperate appeal for Arab nations to help stop what he called an "unprecedentedgenocide campaign" by Shiite militias armed, trained and controlled by Iran.
Al Maliki called for the meeting during a news conference on Sunday and said he hoped it could take place in the next two days as he faces growing impatience with his government's perceived Shiite bias and failure to achieve reconciliation or to stop the sectarian violence threatening to tear the country apart.
The prime minister also threatened to isolate the political blocs who have boycotted his Cabinet, suggesting they could be replaced by local Sunni tribal leaders who have recently formed alliances and joined US-led efforts against Al Qaida in Iraq. "We hope to end this crisis and that the ministers will return," Al Maliki said. "But if that doesn't happen, we will go to our brothers who are offering their help and we will choose ministers from among them."
Abdul-Mahdi's office said he and Barzani would attend. Al Hashemi's office said it planned to give its answer later on Monday. But Iraq's minority Sunnis expressed growing anger over their perceptions of Al Maliki as a deeply biased sectarian leader with links to Iran and his failure to bring all sides together after taking office in May 2006 and promising a national unity government.
"It is one year and 4 months now that he has been in office and he is still leading a one-man rule and a sectarian policy," said Hamid Al Mutlaq, a senior member of the the National Dialogue Front, a Sunni Arab political party. "The country is on the verge of collapse."
"Is he going to give a cure after all this destruction? He has proved that he is a sectarian leader and a failure, the country is under the control of criminal gangs with thecomplete absence of an authority or government." His sharp words came a day after Iraq's most senior Sunni politician, Adnan Al Dulaimi, issued a desperate appeal for Arab nations to help stop what he called an "unprecedentedgenocide campaign" by Shiite militias armed, trained and controlled by Iran.
Al Maliki called for the meeting during a news conference on Sunday and said he hoped it could take place in the next two days as he faces growing impatience with his government's perceived Shiite bias and failure to achieve reconciliation or to stop the sectarian violence threatening to tear the country apart.
The prime minister also threatened to isolate the political blocs who have boycotted his Cabinet, suggesting they could be replaced by local Sunni tribal leaders who have recently formed alliances and joined US-led efforts against Al Qaida in Iraq. "We hope to end this crisis and that the ministers will return," Al Maliki said. "But if that doesn't happen, we will go to our brothers who are offering their help and we will choose ministers from among them."
Labels: Hamid Al Mutlaq, National Dialogue Front, Nouri Al-Maliki, Sunni tribal leaders
Friday, August 03, 2007
Concern grows among Iraqi politicians following IAF withdrawal
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraqi politicians demonstrated their concerns about the implications of the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front's (IAF) withdrawal from the government for the future of the Iraqi political process. Stressing the Iraqi political process's need for reform, MP Maisoon al-Damlouji from the Iraqi National Slate told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI), "The political process, which is based on a sectarian quota system, is about to fall. We have to handle the situation before reaching the point of no return."
Urging Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to listen to the IAF's demands, al-Damlouji said that constructive dialogue at the current time is necessary for discussing all unresolved issues. "The IAF, the National Slate, the Sadrist movement, al-Fadila Party and the National Dialogue Front (NDF) are equally dissatisfied with the current situation… The Iraqi prime minister must listen to what we are saying before it is too late," al-Damlouji indicated.
The mostly secular Iraqi National Slate, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, holds 24 seats in the Iraqi parliament. Khalaf al-Alian, a leading IAF member, described the current Iraqi political process as a "failure" and indicated that the departure of his front, along with the Sadrist movement, from the government is a clear sign that al-Maliki's government is becoming increasingly unpopular in the Iraqi street. According to al-Alian, al-Maliki has two choices: to form a government of independent technocrats or to step down in favor of a more qualified person.
Meanwhile, MP Ali al-Alaq from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the largest parliamentary bloc with 111 seats, told VOI that the IAF's decision does not necessarily indicate retrogression in the political process, which he is said is "working fine."
Displaying pessimism about the future of the Iraqi political process, Hadi Aliwa, a political analyst, held the Iraqi government and parliamentary blocs responsible for the "failure" to reach political consensus. "Each bloc is working on its own. Several regional and international factors, the most important of which is the U.S. occupation, are affecting the political process," Aliwa explained.
The mostly secular Iraqi National Slate, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, holds 24 seats in the Iraqi parliament. Khalaf al-Alian, a leading IAF member, described the current Iraqi political process as a "failure" and indicated that the departure of his front, along with the Sadrist movement, from the government is a clear sign that al-Maliki's government is becoming increasingly unpopular in the Iraqi street. According to al-Alian, al-Maliki has two choices: to form a government of independent technocrats or to step down in favor of a more qualified person.
Meanwhile, MP Ali al-Alaq from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the largest parliamentary bloc with 111 seats, told VOI that the IAF's decision does not necessarily indicate retrogression in the political process, which he is said is "working fine."
Displaying pessimism about the future of the Iraqi political process, Hadi Aliwa, a political analyst, held the Iraqi government and parliamentary blocs responsible for the "failure" to reach political consensus. "Each bloc is working on its own. Several regional and international factors, the most important of which is the U.S. occupation, are affecting the political process," Aliwa explained.
Labels: Fadhela party, Iraqi Accordance Front, Iraqi National Slate, Maisoon al-Damlouji, National Dialogue Front, Sadrist bloc, Tawafuq Front, Unified Iraqi Coalition
Friday, July 13, 2007
Al Mutlak: I Will Agree To Participate In The Mujahadin Khalq’s Next Conference
Politics
(Al Mashriq Newspaper) - 12 JUL - The chief of the National Dialogue Front, Salih Al Mutlak, has rejects the government’s threats of charging anyone that contacts the Mujahadin Khalq (MEK) organization. He said that he will respond to the first invitation that he receives from the Khalq to participate in of their activities inside our outside Iraq.
He described the Iraqi government’s decision to forbid contact with the Iranian organization “as a part of its general policy of being loyal to Iran.” He also discussed the international protection of the Khalq organization as political refugees. He added that the Iranian government is more dangerous to Iraq than the Mujahadin Khalq, which has always followed Iraq’s rule during their presence in Iraq.
COMMENT: The Mujaheddin-e Khalq (MEK) is the primary opposition to the current Iranian government and acts as the focal point of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a coalition of Iranian opposition groups which claims to be the transitional parliament-in-exile with 570 members. The NCRI was headquartered in Iraq, with representative offices in other countries including a presence in Washington where it has previously received support from the US Congress. After the 9/11 attacks however, the US government actively courted cooperation from the government of Iran and further sidelined any unofficial support for the MEK.
The MEK philosophy mixes Marxism and Islam. Formed in the 1960s, the organization was expelled from Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and its primary support came from the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein since the late 1980s. The MEK’s history is filled with anti-Western attacks as well as terrorist attacks on the interests of the clerical regime in Iran and abroad. The MEK now advocates the overthrow of the Iranian regime and its replacement with the group’s own leadership. First designated in October 1997.
Most exiled members live in the camp at Ashraf, north of Baghdad. After Hussein was toppled, the MEK agreed to turn over its weapons to U.S. military officials. In 2004, the U.S. military granted its members the status of "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions and has since provided security for the camp. COMMENT ENDS.
The MEK philosophy mixes Marxism and Islam. Formed in the 1960s, the organization was expelled from Iran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and its primary support came from the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein since the late 1980s. The MEK’s history is filled with anti-Western attacks as well as terrorist attacks on the interests of the clerical regime in Iran and abroad. The MEK now advocates the overthrow of the Iranian regime and its replacement with the group’s own leadership. First designated in October 1997.
Most exiled members live in the camp at Ashraf, north of Baghdad. After Hussein was toppled, the MEK agreed to turn over its weapons to U.S. military officials. In 2004, the U.S. military granted its members the status of "protected persons" under the Geneva Conventions and has since provided security for the camp. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Iran, MEK, Mujahadin Khalq, Mujaheddin-e Khalq, National Dialogue Front, Salih al Mutlak
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunni Arab blocs boycott parliament as Sunni speaker is not reinstated
Politics
(AP) - Parliament's two Sunni Arab blocs boycotted the 275-seat house on Sunday because the Sunni speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, was not reinstated as they demanded. Muhannad al-Issawi, a spokesman for Adnan al-Dulaimi, leader of the Iraqi Accordance Front, had said that the 44-seat bloc decided in a meeting Saturday to demand that al-Mashhadani preside over Sunday's session.
"If the demand is rejected by other blocs, then the Accordance Front will suspend its participation in parliament," al-Issawi had told The Associated Press. The Accordance bloc was joined in the boycott by the National Dialogue Front.
The Shiite-dominated legislature wants al-Mashhadani to step down and has named his Shiite deputy, Khaled al-Attiya, as a temporary replacement. Many legislators viewed al-Mashhandani's erratic behavior as unbecoming and a hindrance to parliament's ability to pass key benchmark legislation as demanded by Washington.
"If the demand is rejected by other blocs, then the Accordance Front will suspend its participation in parliament," al-Issawi had told The Associated Press. The Accordance bloc was joined in the boycott by the National Dialogue Front.
The Shiite-dominated legislature wants al-Mashhadani to step down and has named his Shiite deputy, Khaled al-Attiya, as a temporary replacement. Many legislators viewed al-Mashhandani's erratic behavior as unbecoming and a hindrance to parliament's ability to pass key benchmark legislation as demanded by Washington.
Labels: Iraqi Accordance Front, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, National Dialogue Front
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Accord Front And Dialogue Front Are Splitting to form new party
Politics
(Bayyna Al Jadidah Newspaper) - 6 JUN - Parliament sources expect that today will witness the announcement of a new political front. The new political front will include members of the Accord, Dialogue, and Reconciliation and Freedom Fronts. The sources said, “Abd Mutlak Al Jabouri will lead the new political front. The purpose in creating this new political front is to oppose sectarianism and to help find solutions for the crises of the citizens. The Accord Front and National Front often work against the government and they are also sectarian fronts.”
(Al Mowaten Newspaper) - 6 JUN - The sources expect the new political front will include 15 Parliament members and this front will be empty of Baathists and sectarian people who are controlled by Sunni people. This front will work to find real solutions for Iraq’s citizens; also, this bloc will include 15 Parliament members. Saadi Al Barazanchi, a Kurdish Islamic Union Parliament member said that the Union will freeze its relationship with the new front and they are critical of the formation of this front. On Tuesday Barzanchi added, “We are so angry about the creation of this front because it includes former members of the Saddam regime and because intelligence from foreign countries paid for these members to create the front to work against the Iraqi people’s benefits.”
Labels: Abd Mutlak Al Jabouri, Iraqi Accord Front, Kurdish Islamic Union, National Dialogue Front
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Al Mutlaq Demands Al Maliki Resign And Encourages Everyone To Stop The Bloodshed In Iraq
Politics
(Azzaman Newspaper) - 4 JUN - Salah Al Mutlaq, the leader of the National Dialogue Front which has 11 seats in the Parliament, demands the Americans and Al Maliki readjust the entire political process. Yesterday, in Amman, during a press conference Al Mutlaq said “Because of the insistence of having this political process, tens of Iraqis and occupiers are killed everyday. The occupier should rethink the political process and the government should do the same thing because this process is not good for their people. Al Maliki should say to the Parliament, “This is my plan, this is my government and this is what I want from you; either accept it or accept my resignation.”
The Prime Minister should make this brave decision. The current government is not capable of leading this country. It is a government built on political entities and people who came for revenge and to eliminate others. Today we need people who can begin national reconciliation. If we have a comparison of the situations before the political process we will see that the situation before was better. He finished saying, “Shame on every politician if he stays in the government and the parliament and without doing anything to stop the Iraqi bleeding.”
Labels: National Dialogue Front, national reconciliation, Nouri Al-Maliki, Salah Al Mutlaq
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Al-Hashimi met with Allawi about forming a new party
Politics
(Al Mashriq Newspaper AR.) - 28 MAY - Accord Front spokesman, Salim Al Jabouri, confirmed that there will soon be a new national front. He also confirmed that a few days ago VP Tariq Al Hashimi met with former PM, Ayad Allawi, the chief of the Iraqi List. They discussed creating a new front. Al Jabouri said to an Emirate newspaper that there are continuing communications with influential groups and parties, such as Fadhila Party, National Dialogue Front, and the Kurdish Coalition.
He added that there have been meetings with these groups and parties as well. He denied that these meetings area targeted at having a coup against the current government, rather, he described it as a democratic political activity targeted to create a new national front to represent the majority of Iraqis and be away from sectarianism. This new front will have patriotic programs and will serve all Iraqis. Finally, Al Hashimi stated in Amman yesterday that he has three choices: to dialog with the current government; withdraw from the current government; or create a new front.
Labels: Fadhela party, Iraqi Accord Front, Iraqi List, Iyad Allawi, Kurdish Coalition, National Dialogue Front, Salim Al Jabouri, Tariq al-Hashimi
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
New president chosen for Independant Electoral Commission of Iraq
Politics
(Al Adala Newspaper) - 7 MAY - The new IECI Board of Commissioners has elected Farij Mirza Al Haidri as the new President of the IECI. The new board was chosen by the Parliament on April 28th, 2007. The new board also elected Asawa Abdul Hamid from the National Dialogue Front as the Vice President and Karim Mahmoud Al Tamimi from the Sadr Movement as the Chief of the Electoral Office. Hamdia Al Hassani made an unsuccessful attempt to become the new president of the IECI. Moreover, Christian entities protested because there are no Christian representatives among the commissioners. The first task of the new board will be selecting Governorate Election Offices.
Labels: Asawa Abdul Hamid, Farij Mirza Al Haidri, IECI, Independant Electoral Commission of Iraq, Karim Mahmoud Al Tamimi, National Dialogue Front, Sadr movement
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Parliament bombing update
Security, Politics
(AP) - A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Iraqi parliament cafeteria Thursday, killing at least eight people — including three lawmakers — and wounding dozens in a stunning assault in the heart of the heavily fortified, U.S.-protected Green Zone. A news video camera captured the moment of the blast — a flash and an orange ball of fire causing a startled Muslim imam who was being interviewed to duck, and then the smoky, dust-filled aftermath of confusion and shouting. The video was shot by Alhurra, a U.S. government-funded Arab-language channel.
The blast came hours after a suicide truck bomb exploded on a major bridge in Baghdad, collapsing the steel structure and sending cars tumbling into the Tigris River, police and witnesses said. At least 10 people were killed.
The parliament bombing was believed to be the deadliest attack in the Green Zone, the enclave that houses
Iraq's leadership as well as the U.S. Embassy, and is secured by American and Iraqi checkpoints. Security officials at parliament, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, said they believed the bomber was a bodyguard of a Sunni member of parliament who was not among the dead. They would not name the member of parliament.
The officials also said two satchel bombs were found near the cafeteria. A U.S. bomb squad took the explosives away and detonated them without incident.
President Bush strongly condemned the attack, saying: "My message to the Iraqi government is `We stand with you.'Maj. Gen. William Caldwell told The Associated Press that eight people were killed in the attack, which witness accounts indicated was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Iraqi officials said the bomber struck the cafeteria while several lawmakers were eating lunch, and at least three of them — two Sunnis and a Shiite — were killed. State television said 30 people were wounded. "We don't know at this point who it was. We do know in the past that suicide vests have been used predominantly by al-Qaida," Caldwell said. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh suggested that those behind the attack might work in the building. "There are some groups that work in politics during the day and do things other than politics at night," he told Alhurra.
The Alhurra video showed what appeared to be the moments just after the attack: A smoky hallway, with people screaming for help. One man was slumped over, covered in dust, motionless. A woman kneeled over what appeared to be a wounded or dead man near a table. Then the camera focused on a bloody severed leg. TV cameras and videotapes belonging to a crew sending footage to Western networks were confiscated and apparently handed over to U.S. authorities. After the blast, security guards sealed the building and no one — including lawmakers — was allowed to enter or leave.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said no Americans were hurt. The bombing came amid the two-month-old security crackdown in Baghdad, which has sought to restore stability in the capital so that the government of Iraq can take key political steps by June 30 or face a withdrawal of American support. "We know that there is a security problem in Baghdad," added Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking at the State Department. "This is still early in the process and I don't think anyone expected that there wouldn't be counter-efforts by terrorists to undermine the security presence."
One of the dead lawmakers was Mohammed Awad, a member of the Sunni National Dialogue Front, said party leader Saleh al-Mutlaq. A female Sunni lawmaker from the same list was wounded, he said. Another was Taha al-Liheibi, of the Sunni Accordance Front, said Mohammed Abu Bakr, who heads the legislature's media department. A third dead legislator was Niamah al-Mayahi, a member of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance bloc, said Saleh al-Aujaili, a fellow member. Asif Hussein Muhammad, an MP from the Islamic Union of Kurdistan, was also killed in the blast. Abu Bakr and other lawmakers said they saw the suspected bomber's body amid the ghastly scene. "I saw two legs in the middle of the cafeteria and none of those killed or wounded lost their legs — which means they must be the legs of the suicide attacker," he said.
Earlier in the day, security officials used dogs to check people entering the building in a rare precaution — apparently concerned that an attack might take place. A security scanner for pedestrians at the entrance to the Green Zone near the parliament building was not working Thursday, Abu Bakr said. People were searched only by hand and had to pass through metal detectors, he said.
The brazen bombing was the clearest evidence yet that militants can penetrate even the most secure locations. Masses of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers are on the streets in the ninth week of a security crackdown in the capital and security measures inside the Green Zone have been significantly hardened.
The U.S. military reported April 1 that two suicide vests were found in the Green Zone, also home to the U.S. Embassy and the Iraqi government. A rocket attack last month killed two Americans, a soldier and a contractor. A few days earlier, a rocket landed within 100 yards of a building where U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was holding a news conference. No one was hurt.
Khalaf al-Ilyan, one of the three leaders of the Iraqi Accordance Front, which holds 44 seats, said the attack was "aimed at everyone — all parties — our parliament in general being a symbol and a representative of all segments of Iraqi society." Al-Ilyan, who is in Jordan recovering from knee surgery, said the blast also "underlines the failure of the government's security plan. The plan is 100 percent a failure. It's a complete flop. The explosion means that instability and lack of security has reached the Green Zone, which the government boasts is heavily fortified," he said.
Hadi al-Amiri, head of the parliament's security and defense committee, said the blast shook the building just after legislators ended their main meeting, and broke into smaller committees. He said Iraqi forces are in charge of security in the building, and that explosives could have been smuggled in amid restaurant supplies.
Attacks in the Green Zone are rare. The worst previous known assault occurred Oct. 14, 2004, when a blast at a market and a popular cafe killed six people — the first bombing in the sprawling region. On Nov. 25, 2004, a mortar attack inside the zone killed four employees of a British security firm and wounded at least 12. On Jan. 29, 2005, insurgents hit the U.S. Embassy compound with a rocket, killing two Americans — a civilian and a sailor — on the eve of landmark elections. Four other Americans were wounded.
The blast came hours after a suicide truck bomb exploded on a major bridge in Baghdad, collapsing the steel structure and sending cars tumbling into the Tigris River, police and witnesses said. At least 10 people were killed.
The parliament bombing was believed to be the deadliest attack in the Green Zone, the enclave that houses
Iraq's leadership as well as the U.S. Embassy, and is secured by American and Iraqi checkpoints. Security officials at parliament, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, said they believed the bomber was a bodyguard of a Sunni member of parliament who was not among the dead. They would not name the member of parliament.
The officials also said two satchel bombs were found near the cafeteria. A U.S. bomb squad took the explosives away and detonated them without incident.
President Bush strongly condemned the attack, saying: "My message to the Iraqi government is `We stand with you.'Maj. Gen. William Caldwell told The Associated Press that eight people were killed in the attack, which witness accounts indicated was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Iraqi officials said the bomber struck the cafeteria while several lawmakers were eating lunch, and at least three of them — two Sunnis and a Shiite — were killed. State television said 30 people were wounded. "We don't know at this point who it was. We do know in the past that suicide vests have been used predominantly by al-Qaida," Caldwell said. Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh suggested that those behind the attack might work in the building. "There are some groups that work in politics during the day and do things other than politics at night," he told Alhurra.
The Alhurra video showed what appeared to be the moments just after the attack: A smoky hallway, with people screaming for help. One man was slumped over, covered in dust, motionless. A woman kneeled over what appeared to be a wounded or dead man near a table. Then the camera focused on a bloody severed leg. TV cameras and videotapes belonging to a crew sending footage to Western networks were confiscated and apparently handed over to U.S. authorities. After the blast, security guards sealed the building and no one — including lawmakers — was allowed to enter or leave.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said no Americans were hurt. The bombing came amid the two-month-old security crackdown in Baghdad, which has sought to restore stability in the capital so that the government of Iraq can take key political steps by June 30 or face a withdrawal of American support. "We know that there is a security problem in Baghdad," added Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking at the State Department. "This is still early in the process and I don't think anyone expected that there wouldn't be counter-efforts by terrorists to undermine the security presence."
One of the dead lawmakers was Mohammed Awad, a member of the Sunni National Dialogue Front, said party leader Saleh al-Mutlaq. A female Sunni lawmaker from the same list was wounded, he said. Another was Taha al-Liheibi, of the Sunni Accordance Front, said Mohammed Abu Bakr, who heads the legislature's media department. A third dead legislator was Niamah al-Mayahi, a member of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance bloc, said Saleh al-Aujaili, a fellow member. Asif Hussein Muhammad, an MP from the Islamic Union of Kurdistan, was also killed in the blast. Abu Bakr and other lawmakers said they saw the suspected bomber's body amid the ghastly scene. "I saw two legs in the middle of the cafeteria and none of those killed or wounded lost their legs — which means they must be the legs of the suicide attacker," he said.
Earlier in the day, security officials used dogs to check people entering the building in a rare precaution — apparently concerned that an attack might take place. A security scanner for pedestrians at the entrance to the Green Zone near the parliament building was not working Thursday, Abu Bakr said. People were searched only by hand and had to pass through metal detectors, he said.
The brazen bombing was the clearest evidence yet that militants can penetrate even the most secure locations. Masses of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers are on the streets in the ninth week of a security crackdown in the capital and security measures inside the Green Zone have been significantly hardened.
The U.S. military reported April 1 that two suicide vests were found in the Green Zone, also home to the U.S. Embassy and the Iraqi government. A rocket attack last month killed two Americans, a soldier and a contractor. A few days earlier, a rocket landed within 100 yards of a building where U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was holding a news conference. No one was hurt.
Khalaf al-Ilyan, one of the three leaders of the Iraqi Accordance Front, which holds 44 seats, said the attack was "aimed at everyone — all parties — our parliament in general being a symbol and a representative of all segments of Iraqi society." Al-Ilyan, who is in Jordan recovering from knee surgery, said the blast also "underlines the failure of the government's security plan. The plan is 100 percent a failure. It's a complete flop. The explosion means that instability and lack of security has reached the Green Zone, which the government boasts is heavily fortified," he said.
Hadi al-Amiri, head of the parliament's security and defense committee, said the blast shook the building just after legislators ended their main meeting, and broke into smaller committees. He said Iraqi forces are in charge of security in the building, and that explosives could have been smuggled in amid restaurant supplies.
Attacks in the Green Zone are rare. The worst previous known assault occurred Oct. 14, 2004, when a blast at a market and a popular cafe killed six people — the first bombing in the sprawling region. On Nov. 25, 2004, a mortar attack inside the zone killed four employees of a British security firm and wounded at least 12. On Jan. 29, 2005, insurgents hit the U.S. Embassy compound with a rocket, killing two Americans — a civilian and a sailor — on the eve of landmark elections. Four other Americans were wounded.
Labels: Ali Al Dabbagh, Iraq's parliament, Khalaf al-Ilyan, Mohammed Awad, National Dialogue Front, Niamah al-Mayahi, satchel bombs, suicide bomber, Taha al-Liheibi, United Iraqi Alliance
