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Amid rising violence, Maliki calls for national unity
[Iran Press TV Latest] Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has called for national unity as a series of bombings left hundreds of Iraqis dead ahead of the US withdrawal from the country.

"Today we are in need of unity, as they have shown their teeth against us," said Maliki, who accuses the remnants of al-Qaeda for recent bombings in the county. Several bombings over the past three days in and around Baghdad killed nearly 100 people.

The prime minister also said that the "acts of terrorism" will not deter his government from regaining full sovereignty of the country. "On June 30 there will be a national stand," Maliki said at a commemoration for the sixth anniversary of the death of the founder of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), Sayed Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim. "It is a message to the world that we are now able to safeguard our security and administer our internal affairs," he added.

Under a security agreement, US combat troops must leave Baghdad and all major urban areas by June 30 and leave security responsibilities to Iraqis.
Posted by: Fred 2009-06-28
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=273036