IRAQ: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warns of increase in violence in run up to parliamentary elections next year

Record ID: 356088

  • Title: IRAQ: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warns of increase in violence in run up to parliamentary elections next year
  • Date: 11th August 2009
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 26th August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA71AH09D6B9KTWCHHOG5G01TZW
  • Story Text: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned on Monday (August 10) of an increase in violence in the run up to parliamentary elections.
    The violence raises doubts about the readiness of Iraq's security forces, re-built after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, to cope alone, and also raises fears of a resurgence of sectarian slaughter between Sunnis and Shi'ites.
    Speaking to an audience including senior Iraqi military commanders, Maliki said there was no room for complacency ahead of the January polls.
    "The success which we have achieved should further boost our efforts, will and resolve. It should not make us relax or be conceited over what we have achieved because the enemy is still there and there are still many who oppose the successful process," he said.
    "There will be increasing attempts to damage and violate security. They will try in any way they can, to give the impression that the political process is not stable," Maliki added.
    As if to illustrate the Iraqi prime minister's words, early on Monday, two bombs detonated simultaneously near the Sunni neighbourhood of Adhamiya wounding four civilians. The blasts were among a series in the capital, Baghdad, and in other parts of the country.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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