Iraq: Muqtada Al Sadr spokesman rejects US apology

An official in the Al Sadr trend described the apology of the American forces for what has taken place in Al Sadr city, on Saturday night, as "neither sufficient nor satisfactory". He undervalued such an apology "as these forces are still murdering people." He said that the apology "is a deceiving and cunning attempt, which is not sufficient to compensate for the offense committed on behalf of the American forces against Al Sadr city and Iraq."

alhayat/almendhar: In a statement to Al Hayat, Sheikh Abdel Hadi Al Deraji, one of Muqtada Al Sadr's assistants in Baghdad, demanded for the withdrawal of foreign forces. He referred to "the demonstrations witnessed in the United States and Britain that reject the existence of these forces in Iraq, which is a clear proof of the extent of international rejection of the occupation."

He criticized the situation of the Shiite parties, which are clinging to the "occupation" forces. He considered it as merely "emerging from personal interests." He continued, "Immediately after the entry of American tanks into Iraq, the Iraqi structure started to dissolve. The occupation and other forces cooperating with it worked on dividing the unity of the country."

It is worth mentioning that Karim Najati, MP representing the Shiite Coalition, told Al Hayat that the American commander in Al Rasafa region, Colonel Disalvo, confirmed, in a phone call, that he was unaware of the military operations of his forces in Al Sadr city that night and that he did not issue orders in this respect. He assured that he is conducting an investigation with those in charge.

Najati pointed out that the American commander praised the situation of the office of the martyr Al Sadr in the city and its call for tranquility and self-control. He confirmed that the American commander of the forces in charge of Al Sadr city "has apologized and is aware of the wrong procedures taken on behalf of his forces that night."

He referred to the continuous investigation with the elements of the patrol to disclose the circumstance of the incident and that he issued orders for the release of 13 detainees of the city residents, who were detained during the operation, in addition to a preliminary agreement on holding a meeting between his forces and the executive departments in Al Sadr city for tranquilizing the conditions. Link