Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Maliki says rivals putting Iraqi security at risk
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Maliki says rivals putting Iraqi security at risk
AFP - Friday, December 11
Send
IM Story
Print
Iraqi students join a demonstration against the terrror attacks in Baghdad. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki accused rivals on Thursday of stoking political rows that have put Iraq's security at risk, as US Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit.
BAGHDAD (AFP) - – Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki accused rivals on Thursday of stoking political rows which have put Iraq's security at risk, as US Defence Secretary Robert Gates made a surprise visit to Baghdad.
During questioning in parliament, Maliki said Iraq's security forces needed to be de-politicised, after coordinated bombings on Tuesday that rocked Baghdad killing 127 people.
"Now if I detain Osama bin Laden, some people will ask, 'Why did you arrest him? He is a mujaheed (religious fighter)'," Maliki reportedly said of disputes between political groups that he said were causing violence.
He spoke for five and a half hours in a closed-door meeting attended by 190 MPs, and his remarks were quoted by Shiite MP Samira al-Mussawi, who was present.
"All of the recent crime is because of political and sectarian differences. I call on parliament to issue a decision to purify the security services from anyone who belongs to any political party, including my party," Maliki was quoted as saying.
He also accused rival groups of blocking the appointment of a new intelligence chief, Mussawi told reporters.
"The intelligence services cannot appoint any chief because there is no political consensus on it," the premier said. "Every party wants to be in charge of this service."
"This security organisation is handicapped because there is no consensus."
The intelligence post has been vacant for several months. Its last occupant, Major General Abdullah Sherwani, left after twin bombings against the foreign and finance ministries in Baghdad in August.
For his part, Falah Shanshal, the chair of the justice committee, told AFP: "There is huge anger in parliament because of the security violations.
"We want to know who was negligent in order to punish them and replace them with someone else. Today's session is to understand the failures, to stop the security violations and to find a solution because the blood of Iraqis is being shed every day."
Baha al-Araji, the chair of parliament's legal committee, said MPs had voted in favour of Defence Minister Abdul Qader Obeidi and Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani facing questioning on Saturday.
It was unclear whether either would attend.
Maliki on Wednesday sacked Baghdad's security chief over the blasts, which also wounded 450 people and undermined government claims of improved security ahead of March elections.
On Thursday morning, increased numbers of soldiers and policemen were out on the streets of central Baghdad, and at least one bridge was closed off.
Despite the stepped up security, a gunman shot dead an imam in the predominantly Sunni neighbourhood of Ghazaliyah in the west of the capital, an interior ministry official said.
On a surprise visit to Baghdad, Gates met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, offering him "any assistance the Iraqis may need to deal with the bombings," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said.
"He also offered his condolences on the bombing this week."
According to Morrell, Gates told Talabani: "The bombings are a tragic reminder it's not over yet. There is still work to be done. This fight has to be carried out on a continuing basis."
Large-scale attacks like the latest claimed by Al-Qaeda are "sort of a desperate attempt to stay relevant and to try to destabilise the government of Iraq" and relaunch sectarian violence, Morrell said.
However, he added that he did not "think anybody believes that it will be successful."
Gates was originally scheduled to meet Maliki as well, but those talks were cancelled because of the premier's parliamentary session.
The Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attacks. Police have charged that the bombers were backed by groups based in Syria or Saudi Arabia.
Lieutenant General Charles Jacoby, the number two US commander in Iraq, warned that Al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups would attempt similar attacks in the run-up to parliamentary elections on March 7.
"The enemies of a democratic Iraq have everything to lose by a successful election," he told reporters.
But an agreed timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq remains "on track," Jacoby added.
Attacks across Iraq dropped dramatically last month, with the official figure of 122 being the lowest number of deaths in monthly attacks recorded since the US-led invasion of 2003.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Six dead, 13 missing in Turkish mine blast-TV Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
Iraq to award contracts in new oil field auction AFP - Friday, December 11
House eases restrictions on derivatives trades AP - Friday, December 11
RI cop accused of beating teenager AP - Friday, December 11
Bones of T. rex to make museum debut in Oregon AP - Friday, December 11
News Search
Top Stories
Iraq to award contracts in new oil field auction
Britain, France unite behind bank bonus tax plans
EU scrambles to find climate cash
Greek premier pleads with EU peers over debts
Expel chocolate milk from school lunches: activist
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Giant iceberg spotted south of Australia
Three women take Ireland to court over right to abort
Greece under pressure to take budget action
Qatar emir calls for gas and oil price alignment
Britain taxes bankers' bonuses as recession deepens
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 11 December 2009 Iraq seeks to shift Iranian group to desert camp
New Russian missile failure sparks UFO frenzy
Iran may face new U.N. sanctions: U.S., UK, France
|
Germany unveils world's largest weather supercomputer
Western envoys threaten UN sanctions against Iran
Somali pirates free Greek ship with 24 Ukrainian crew
U.S. affirms Iraq withdrawal plan, PM answers for attacks
|
Firms including Google to build Asia undersea cable
Goldman Sachs to give all 2009 bonuses in stock
Mozart's music may help preemies gain weight
Bank of England holds key rate at 0.5%
Iraq's March vote won't affect troop plan, U.S. says
US jobless claims edge higher
Video games take bigger role in education
Iran may face new U.N. sanctions
Cuban dissidents mark rights day with protests
|
Berlusconi slammed for Bonn speech on magistrates
|
Defense Secretary Gates arrives in Iraq
Egypt Christian group seeks to change Muslim status
|
Egypt Christian group seeks to change Muslim status
Somali pirates free Greek ship after ransom paid
|
World powers could hold Iran meeting next week
Iraqi PM faces grilling over spate of bombings
US envoy: NKorea makes no new commitments in talks
EBay took Craigslist stake partly to block Google: exec
|
Savvy kids can access explicit online worlds: FTC
|
Thaksin rallies thousands against Thai government
NYC police officer kills Times Square panhandler
Philippine ex-militiamen hold 57 hostages
Bill protecting journalists' sources gets boost
Gunmen attack police in Philippine massacre town: military
Firms including Google to build Asia undersea cable
|
Unions pressure Democrats on health insurance tax
Fast-growing Christian churches crushed in China
Launch of NASA sky-mapping spacecraft delayed
Tribal gunmen abduct dozens in Philippines
Rare conifer cut down in Seattle Arboretum
Denmark seeks to pacify China over Tibet
Highlights of $1.1 trillion spending bill in House
Cambodia faces worrying human rights trends: UN
House adopts spending measure over GOP protests
Indonesia calls for greater protection for poor
Exports up for 6th straight month, boost recovery
GOP questions plans to try terror suspects in US
Spain's Zara to walk into India next year: Inditex
NKorea agrees to accept medicine from SKorea
India eyes law on corporate fraud after Satyam
Pakistan's forex reserves ease to $13.57 bln
India's food inflation soars 19%
Malaysia charges trio over trade zone scandal
A Minute With: Tom Ford on dressing his Single Man
|
Hollywood goes to Copenhagen climate summit
|
7 Iranians arrested carrying drugs into Bali
Reality dad Jon Gosselin a no-show at Md. hearing
British drinkers get chance to check Xmas intake
British writer gets sales boost from Tiger Woods crash
New prize for young adult books announced
'Wicked' actors don't let scuffle stop Ohio show
Iraq to award contracts in new oil field auction
Britain, France unite behind bank bonus tax plans
U.N. seeks Afghan envoy to help civilian surge
|
Privacy advocates slam Facebook change
US rushing troops, supplies to Afghanistan
EU scrambles to find climate cash
US videogame sales to hit $20 bln for year: NPD
Deadly blaze exposed Russian corruption: Putin
|
Greek premier pleads with EU peers over debts
Risks limit civilian movement in Afghanistan: Clinton
Google wants to help watch over world's forests
North Korea hints ready to return to nuclear talks
|
Hariri's government wins Lebanese parliament vote
Craigslist founder testifies felt betrayed by eBay
Somali pirates free Greek ship with 24 Ukrainian crew
Honduran coup leaders want Zelaya to make pledge
|
Clinton condemns disruption of protest in Sudan
Expel chocolate milk from school lunches: activist
FTC warns of explicit content in virtual worlds
Greece awaits EU move on debt crisis
US, allies warn of new Iran sanctions
U.S. wireless users satisfied, FCC should help more: GAO
Maliki says rivals putting Iraqi security at risk
Tiger's woes spawn online game
Ecuador says U.S. helped Colombia plan '08 bombing
|
Savvy kids can access explicit online worlds: FTC
Iran may face new U.N. sanctions
Nielsen closing Editor and Publisher, selling other brands
U.S. teens ignore laws against texting while driving
|
Muslim radicalization gains momentum in US: analysts
Ecuador says U.S. helped Colombia plan '08 bombing
Malaysian Islamic scholars urged to be polygamists
U.S. wireless users satisfied, FCC should help more: GAO
|
A guilty pleasure for first lady: 'really bad TV'
Tense talks as gunmen hold 57 Philippine hostages
CDC: About 1 in 6 Americans have had swine flu
U.S. video game sales down 7.6 pct in November: NPD
|
FBI probes US suspects in Pakistan terror plot
Sens. move to block drugmakers from mining Rx data
Positive signs in Philippine hostage drama: negotiator
Train derails west of Denver, car falls 25 feet
Court rules against Patriot Act challenger
Suspected Islamic militants abduct man in Philippines
Gov't mortgage plan provides little permanent help
EU leaders to pledge billions in climate aid
North Korea hints ready to return to nuclear talks
Stuck Mars rover struggles with faulty wheel
A parent's dilemma: a child with ties to terrorism
Asarco paying $1.8B to clean up more than 80 sites
S.Korea apartment prices rise 0.1 pct this week
Hugh Laurie to direct "House" episode
China new loans up in November: central bank
Hollywood eyes record $10 billion box office for 2009
Pakistan
India sticks with stimulus despite good growth
Seoul shares slip weighed by banks, retailers
China's consumer prices, industrial output up in Nov
Taiwan dollar rises after gains in local stocks
Bank of Korea lifts growth outlook, rate rise looms
World Bank to boost India's sustainable urbanization
Man agrees to plead guilty in ESPN reporter case
S.Korean bonds extend losses on c.bank forecast
Slater says changes coming on 'The Forgotten'
Avatar sets audiences on epic, visual ride
|
"Avatar" sets audiences on epic, visual ride
Polanski's lawyers seek end to U.S. sex case
|
Pakistan Arrests 5 Americans Found In Militant Leader's Home
Cameron sees metaphor for Earth in 'Avatar'
Avatar a triumph of technology, storytelling
|
U.S. Trade Gap Narrows As Oil Exports Shrink
Roman marble panel sells for 1.5 million dollars
Severe Winter Weather Blamed For 16 Deaths, Numerous Delays Across U.S. Midwest
New show, exhibits to mark Elvis 75th birthday
|
'Not Guilty' T-shirts Freedom Of Speech
Flight of the Conchords grounded
|
New show, exhibits to mark Elvis 75th birthday
Group Wants End to Air-to-ground Call Ban
Polanski's lawyers seek end to U.S. sex case
Brooklyn High School Site Of Alleged Sex Scandal Involving Three Female Teachers
Lil Wayne's 'Rebirth' delayed until 2010
|
Church Divided Over Homosexuality Decision
TV special on surprise pop star Susan Boyle debuts
Hugh Laurie to direct House episode
|
AMA Urges Use Of Tobacco Programs, Fund To Support Smoke-Free Laws
Hugh Laurie to direct "House" episode
Family Finds Explosives In House; Calls Bomb Squad
Time Hails Filipino Construction Worker, 'Miracle On The Hudson' Pilot As 2009 Heroes
Lil Wayne's 'Rebirth' delayed until 2010
Gates, EU leaders say Iran to face new sanctions
|
EU offers 7.2 bln euros in climate aid
US-TECH Summary
U.N. Afghan envoy to step down on schedule in March
|
Nokia to launch new music phone model
Pope ashamed, outraged by Irish sexual abuse
|
Ex-Manager Sues Def Leppard For Unpaid Commissions
U.S. teens ignore laws against texting while driving
U.S. sees Arabs, Kurds in Iraq settling differences
|
Assailants vandalize West Bank mosque
Tila Tequila Sued By Ex-Boyfriend Shawne Merriman
Liza Minnelli Settles Driver's Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Gates, EU leaders say Iran to face new sanctions
An Error has occured |
EU calls for 'clear response' to Iran nuclear stance
Judge Prohibits Jon Gosselin From Making Media Appearances
Gunmen free nine of 57 hostages in Philippines
|
Jay-Z And Alicia Keys Spend Fourth Week Atop Billboard Hot 100
Secretary Gates predicts more sanctions for Iran
Guantanamo detainee's family sues Kenya for $30 million
|
Security fears weigh on Iraq's 2nd oil auction
Susan Boyle Moves Another Half Million Copies Of Album For Second Week At #1 On Billboard
Bruce Springsteen Writes Statement Backing Gay Marriage
10,000 new settlers in 10 months: Israel minister
Jesse James' Ex-Wife Loses Bid To Expand Visitation Rights Of 5-Year-Old Daughter
Turkish mine blast kills 19 workers
US-TECH Summary
Nicky Hilton Becomes Latest Victim Of House Burglary
Nokia to launch new music phone model
Travis Barker Settles Negligence Suit Over Learjet Plane Crash
Apple countersues Nokia over 13 patents
|
Nokia to launch new music phone model
|
Pope, Vietnamese president try for closer ties
Cambodian king pardons Thai jailed for spying
Draft Copenhagen deal targets maximum 2 C warming
The nation's weather
US petitioner in China says fiance is sentenced
Mich. AG to give deposition in slain stripper suit
Sri Lankan war allies, now political enemies
Attorneys ask court to dismiss Polanski sex case
U.S. intelligence shows al Qaeda fleeing South Waziristan-Gates
Craigslist founder testifies felt betrayed by eBay
|
Ind. executes man for 3 murders, first since '07
Hurdler Liu takes gold at E.Asian Games
Blast kills child, wounds 12 at Afghan wedding
Russia, US could sign arms deal next week: report
Questions, answers on Wall Street regulation bill
NKorea says it understands need for nuclear talks
House scales back proposed Wall Street rules
Pakistani and U.S. agents interrogate five Americans
Analysis: Obama's case for war in support of peace
World-class ice climber dies in Montana avalanche
Novice Uruguayan director becomes Hollywood sensation
Pakistan o/n rates flat; rupee firms; stocks end up
Taiwan firms bid for Metlife's local unit
Wendy's burger chain to withdraw from Japan
Swedish author's partner rejects $2.82 mln offer
Indonesia detains 47 Afghan migrants: police
Wendy's burger chain flips last burgers in Japan
That's just the way it is with Bruce Hornsby
|
Stars turn out to honor producer Weintraub in LA
Creditors reject SKorea carmaker's rescue plan
Polanski's lawyers seek end to U.S. sex case
|
Pee-wee Herman's big comeback
Taiwan, China will not discuss bank stakes in trade talks
Chinese opera face-changing: it's a kind of magic
|
Attorneys ask court to dismiss Polanski sex case
SKorea bank tips 4.6 percent growth for 2010
Chinese opera face-changing: it's a kind of magic
J.J. Abrams eyes Great World book
|
Taiwan sells 10-year govt bonds at 1.46 pct yield
"Flight of the Conchords" grounded
"Avatar" a triumph of technology, storytelling
'Flight of the Conchords' grounded
Novice Uruguayan director becomes Hollywood sensation
Getting to the bottom of an enduring appeal
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights