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Crowd stones Iraqi PM as govt calls for calm
 Angry fellow Shias stoned Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Malikis motorcade in a Shia stronghold of Baghdad on Sunday in a display of fury over a devastating car bomb that tore through their area. Maliki was visiting the Sadr City slum to pay respects to some of the 202 victims of last weeks devastating bombing. The area is a base for the Mehdi Army militia led by Malikis fellow Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr. Though the violence was limited, it was a dramatic demonstration of the popular passions Maliki and his national unity government are trying to calm following Thursdays multiple car bombs in Sadr City. On Sunday, a car bomb killed at least 6 people and wounded more than 20 in a market just south of Baghdad, police said. On the third full day of a curfew on the capital, mortar bombs crashed down in various parts of Baghdad and residents reported isolated and mostly unexplained clashes. We are counting on you, a great nation, Shia, Sunni and ethnic Kurdish leaders said in a joint statement. Do not let those who are depriving you of security impinge on your unity. Maliki accused factions in the government itself of fuelling conflict. He didn't say which ones, but we can pretty well guess. Posted by: Fred 2006-11-27 |
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