Maliki Warns Of Possible Al-Qaeda Attacks

[Slaydadea]

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/478083753?-1377

[Terrill]

Maliki warns Iraqis Al-Qaeda may target planned protests

Friday, February 25, 2011

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Khalid al-Ansary

Reuters

BAGHDAD: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki advised Iraqis to stay away from nationwide “day of rage” protests scheduled for Friday, warning of possible violence by Al-Qaeda and members of Saddam Hussein’s banned Baath party.

Thousands of Iraqis were expected to take part in rallies organized mainly through social networking site Facebook, after weeks of scattered protests around the country calling for an end to shortages of jobs, food, power and water.

Maliki affirmed the right of Iraqis to protest peacefully but said he had evidence that insurgents and Baathists planned to take advantage of the demonstrations for their own purposes.

“I call on you … not to take part in tomorrow’s protest because they are suspicious,” Maliki said in a speech on national television Thursday.

Underlining the precarious security situation in Iraq, a suicide bomber blew himself up during a ceremony in a cultural centre in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi Thursday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 18 others, police and government officials said.

The bomber attacked during a commemoration of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, said Anbar province Deputy Governor Hikmet Khalaf, who was injured in the explosion.

Anbar Governor Qassim Mohammad, who is frequently targeted, said two other suicide bombers were at large.

Iraqi protesters have demanded an end to corruption, replacement of local officials and an end to frustrating shortages of sugar, electricity, and other basics. “Feb. 25 is the Iraqi day of rage for change, an end to corruption and sectarianism in Iraq,” said one post on the wall of Facebook group ‘Baghdad Facebook,’ which had over 3,000 supporters.

A member of another Facebook group with more than 3,000 supporters called ‘A street without a hole in Baghdad’ called on people to take part in peaceful protests to improve services.

It is impossible to verify how many members of such groups live in Iraq.

Baghdad, Basra, Sulaimaniyah, Kirkuk and other cities have been hit by protests in recent weeks, some leading to clashes between protesters and security forces. Several people have been killed and scores wounded.

“Let the voice of freedom be heard in all of Baghdad’s streets and let’s take a lesson from Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Long live Iraq,” wrote one supporter of Facebook group ‘February revolution against corruption.’

Other groups encouraged Iraqis living abroad to support the demonstration by protesting outside Iraqi embassies.

Maliki said he was speaking for President Jalal Talabani and political bloc leaders when he urged people not to take part.

“You can walk in protests at any place and any time you want, but not at the place and time of a protest being supported by Saddamists, terrorists and Al-Qaeda,” he said.

“I am warning you about their plans, which are to change the course of [peaceful] rallies and protests, to … murder, riot, sabotage, hard-to-control strife, bombings …”

Shiite clerics including revered Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Moqtada al-Sadr have cautioned followers about taking part.

“We sympathize with the legitimate demands of the people … People have a right to demonstrate and express their opinions, but we are afraid they will go out of control,” Sistani said.

Sadr, in a statement delivered by one of his assistants, Hazim al-Araji, said he would support a peaceful demonstration but asked Iraqis to give the government six months to try to address their demands over a lack of basic services.

Security forces have kept a close watch on Baghdad’s Tahrir Square since Monday. No vehicles will be allowed to enter Baghdad Friday.

“Beware of groups wearing army or police uniforms who mingle with protesters and try to provoke them to riot or become violent,” the Interior Ministry cautioned protesters.

Link

[Slaydadea]

Maliki warns Iraqis Al-Qaeda may target planned protests

Friday, February 25, 2011

Listen to the Article - Powered by

Khalid al-Ansary

Reuters

BAGHDAD: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki advised Iraqis to stay away from nationwide “day of rage” protests scheduled for Friday, warning of possible violence by Al-Qaeda and members of Saddam Hussein’s banned Baath party.

Thousands of Iraqis were expected to take part in rallies organized mainly through social networking site Facebook, after weeks of scattered protests around the country calling for an end to shortages of jobs, food, power and water.

Maliki affirmed the right of Iraqis to protest peacefully but said he had evidence that insurgents and Baathists planned to take advantage of the demonstrations for their own purposes.

“I call on you … not to take part in tomorrow’s protest because they are suspicious,” Maliki said in a speech on national television Thursday.

Underlining the precarious security situation in Iraq, a suicide bomber blew himself up during a ceremony in a cultural centre in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi Thursday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 18 others, police and government officials said.

The bomber attacked during a commemoration of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, said Anbar province Deputy Governor Hikmet Khalaf, who was injured in the explosion.

Anbar Governor Qassim Mohammad, who is frequently targeted, said two other suicide bombers were at large.

Iraqi protesters have demanded an end to corruption, replacement of local officials and an end to frustrating shortages of sugar, electricity, and other basics. “Feb. 25 is the Iraqi day of rage for change, an end to corruption and sectarianism in Iraq,” said one post on the wall of Facebook group ‘Baghdad Facebook,’ which had over 3,000 supporters.

A member of another Facebook group with more than 3,000 supporters called ‘A street without a hole in Baghdad’ called on people to take part in peaceful protests to improve services.

It is impossible to verify how many members of such groups live in Iraq.

Baghdad, Basra, Sulaimaniyah, Kirkuk and other cities have been hit by protests in recent weeks, some leading to clashes between protesters and security forces. Several people have been killed and scores wounded.

“Let the voice of freedom be heard in all of Baghdad’s streets and let’s take a lesson from Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Long live Iraq,” wrote one supporter of Facebook group ‘February revolution against corruption.’

Other groups encouraged Iraqis living abroad to support the demonstration by protesting outside Iraqi embassies.

Maliki said he was speaking for President Jalal Talabani and political bloc leaders when he urged people not to take part.

“You can walk in protests at any place and any time you want, but not at the place and time of a protest being supported by Saddamists, terrorists and Al-Qaeda,” he said.

“I am warning you about their plans, which are to change the course of [peaceful] rallies and protests, to … murder, riot, sabotage, hard-to-control strife, bombings …”

Shiite clerics including revered Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Moqtada al-Sadr have cautioned followers about taking part.

“We sympathize with the legitimate demands of the people … People have a right to demonstrate and express their opinions, but we are afraid they will go out of control,” Sistani said.

Sadr, in a statement delivered by one of his assistants, Hazim al-Araji, said he would support a peaceful demonstration but asked Iraqis to give the government six months to try to address their demands over a lack of basic services.

Security forces have kept a close watch on Baghdad’s Tahrir Square since Monday. No vehicles will be allowed to enter Baghdad Friday.

“Beware of groups wearing army or police uniforms who mingle with protesters and try to provoke them to riot or become violent,” the Interior Ministry cautioned protesters.

Link

Thanks.

[Nelson0528]

Yeah, and likely they will make it look like a government job...