Officials Want Citizens to Safeguard Cities
BAGHDAD, Aug. 30 -- The Iraqi Governing Council said today that it would submit a security blueprint to the U.S.-led coalition demanding more control over the day-to-day safety of its citizens, after a car bombing Friday in Najaf that killed at least 95 people.
At times visibly upset, members of the U.S.-appointed body criticized the apparent reluctance of U.S. authorities to let Iraqis safeguard the country. The council chairman said U.S. officials should not have dismantled the Iraqi security forces that existed under former president Saddam Hussein. The result has been a dangerous power vacuum that has allowed for attacks such as the one at the Imam Ali mosque, which also killed Ayatollah Mohammed Bakir Hakim, an influential Shiite cleric.
"The Governing Council is going to ask the coalition to . . . hand over the responsibility to the Iraqis," said Ibrahim Jafari, the head of the council.
Another council member, Mohsen Abdul Hamid, said he would step down from his position until the security situation improves.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5385-2003Aug30.html