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WTF? Iraq PM to declare "State of Emergency"??
Iraq PM to declare state of emergency in Basra
Wed May 31, 2006 9:03am ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will on Wednesday declare a state of emergency for a month in oil-rich Basra which is in the grip of a power struggle between Shi'ite factions, a government source said.
"He will announce it soon because of the security situation in Basra," the source told Reuters.
The source said security forces will be deployed in the streets of Basra all day and night, they will also conduct searching operations.
Maliki, who is heading a delegation to Basra to restore security, has vowed to crack down with an "iron fist" on gangs threatening security in the city.
Security has deteriorated sharply in Basra over the past year as rival factions from the Shi'ite Muslim majority tussle for a share of the power handed to Shi'ites by the U.S. overthrow of Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated administration.
Basra, whose oil accounts for virtually all of Iraq's state revenues, is a major prize for all parties.
Maliki said he would order his security services to come up with an urgent plan to restore security in Iraq's second city.
Wed May 31, 2006 9:03am ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will on Wednesday declare a state of emergency for a month in oil-rich Basra which is in the grip of a power struggle between Shi'ite factions, a government source said.
"He will announce it soon because of the security situation in Basra," the source told Reuters.
The source said security forces will be deployed in the streets of Basra all day and night, they will also conduct searching operations.
Maliki, who is heading a delegation to Basra to restore security, has vowed to crack down with an "iron fist" on gangs threatening security in the city.
Security has deteriorated sharply in Basra over the past year as rival factions from the Shi'ite Muslim majority tussle for a share of the power handed to Shi'ites by the U.S. overthrow of Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated administration.
Basra, whose oil accounts for virtually all of Iraq's state revenues, is a major prize for all parties.
Maliki said he would order his security services to come up with an urgent plan to restore security in Iraq's second city.
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