Iraq:33 Killed in Suicide Blasts

BAQUBA: Three powerful co-ordinated suicide attacks in the central Iraq city of Baquba killed at least 33 people and wounded 55 on Wednesday, just days before nationwide parliamentary elections.

The blasts, the deadliest to hit the country in nearly a month, spurred police to clamp an immediate curfew on the city, 60 kilometres (40 miles) north of Baghdad and one of Iraq’s biggest.

The attacks came despite heightened security across the country ahead of Sunday’s vote and after the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, threatened to disrupt the election by “military means.”

Two near-simultaneous suicide vehicle bombs ripped through the provincial housing department’s offices and a nearby traffic intersection at around 9:30 am (0630 GMT), while a man later blew himself up at Baquba’s main hospital where victims were being treated.

“The three bombings killed 33 people,” a security official from Baquba operations command said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“The (third) suicide bomber tried to blow himself up against the police chief when he came to see the wounded in the hospital.”

Police chief Major General Abdul Hussein al-Shimmari escaped unharmed but members of his personal security team, including police Colonel Nabil Ibrahim, were wounded. Diyala provincial health chief Dr. Ali al-Timimi was also injured.

The first vehicle crashed through the entrance to the provincial housing department’s compound, which sits next to a police station, before exploding.

Moments later at a nearby traffic intersection, a suicide bomber triggered the explosives packed into his vehicle, creating a powerful blast. The hospital bombing occurred a short time later.

US and Iraqi security forces have cordoned off the hospital, an AFP journalist at the scene said.

Wednesday’s attack was the deadliest to hit the country since February 5, when 41 Shiite pilgrims were killed on the last day of a religious mourning ceremony on the outskirts of the holy city of Karbala.

Baquba, about 60 kilometres (40 miles) north of Baghdad and capital of Diyala province, was a hotbed of Sunni insurgents in the wake of the 2003 US-led invasion.

Iraqis go to the polls on Sunday 7 in legislative elections, the second such vote since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.

The country’s national security advisor told AFP on Sunday that of the groups seeking to strike in the election period, “AQI (Al-Qaeda in Iraq) attacks are the most direct and serious security threat.”

“Al-Qaeda will try to target the whole process, but we do think that it doesn’t have the capacity to reach its goals,” Safa Hussein said.

Hussein added that security forces had found and prevented at least 10 vehicle bombs in the past month.

AQI leader Baghdadi last month condemned the elections as a political crime plotted by Shiites, according to US-based SITE, which monitors Islamist websites.

“(We) have decided to prevent the elections by all legitimate means possible, primarily by military means,” SITE quoted him as saying in a statement posted on an Islamist website.

The election is seen by Washington as a crucial precursor to a complete US military withdrawal by the end of 2011.

The UN’s envoy to Iraq has said that while he was concerned by the level of violence, it had not affected preparations for the election.

“We are concerned about the security of candidates and election organisers,” Ad Melkert said Monday.

“But what one does not see is a general pattern that might really affect also the assessment of whether the campaign as such is enabling the Iraqi people really to express their preference.”

A total of 352 Iraqis were killed as a result of violence in Iraq in February — 211 civilians, 96 police and 45 soldiers — which was nearly double the toll from the previous month.

Chief Justice:Strict Actions Essential To Deliver Quick Justice

PESHAWAR PAKISTAN: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that strict actions are being taken to ensure the speedy delivery of justice to the public. While no concession can be given in corruption cases.

The CJ gave these remarks while hearing various cases in Supreme Court Peshawar Registry.

While hearing the plea of former official of Pakistan Postal Services, the CJ said that punishment cannot be reduced on gender basis. “Law is equal for everyone,” he asserted.

He further said that concession cannot be given in corruption cases.

Hearing the case about non-payment of pension to the family of a government employee for 9 years, the CJ said the culture of indolence will not be tolerated.

Iran releases five Britons: Radio

TEHRAN: Iran has released five Britons who had been detained in the Gulf after their yacht apparently strayed into Iranian waters, state radio said on Wednesday.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki late on Tuesday and called for formal consular access to the men and their speedy release. They were detained on Nov. 25.

“After getting necessary guarantees, Iran released the five,” state radio said. It gave no further details.

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Iran releases five Britons: Radio was first posted on December 2, 2009 at 1:28 pm.