BAGHDAD — Iraq created a military task force Sunday to battle gangland-style crime after the latest bloodshed: gunmen with silencer-fitted weapons killing at least seven people during a daylight heist of jewelry stores.
The swift government response to the robberies appeared to reflect worries by Iraqi officials about a rise in violence in recent weeks and their efforts to display a tough stance.
Although attacks remain well below levels of past years, Iraqi authorities are under pressure to show greater competence as U.S. commanders gradually hand over security duties before their planned withdrawal from most urban bases by June 30.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered an investigation by a police-military committee, noting that the number of robberies and attacks on jewelry stores, currency exchanges and pawn shops appears to be increasing.
Al-Maliki reminded Iraqis that it is impossible to wipe out lawlessness and extremist violence with "one blow.”
"There are channels and cells that will stay … so security is not finished by one military strike,” he said in a speech in central Baghdad.
Regulations coming
In parliament, meanwhile, lawmakers finally ended a long political impasse by electing a prominent Sunni member as its new speaker, opening the way for lawmakers to start dealing with reforms that have been on hold for nearly four months.
The election of Ayad al-Samarraie cleared the way for lawmakers to deal with laws to regulate the country’s oil and gas riches and to address possible constitutional changes on central government powers.
But the parliament only has a limited time to work, as Iraqi national elections are planned for later this year, possibly December.
Al-Samarraie, a member of the parliament’s finance committee, will succeed Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.
Al-Samarraie, who is a dual Iraqi-British citizen, lived in Britain for decades during Saddam Hussein’s rule and was one of the Iraqi exiles in contact with Washington before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
"We will do our best to reform parliament and enable it to play a more active role,” he said shortly after being elected.
by the associated press
The swift government response to the robberies appeared to reflect worries by Iraqi officials about a rise in violence in recent weeks and their efforts to display a tough stance.
Although attacks remain well below levels of past years, Iraqi authorities are under pressure to show greater competence as U.S. commanders gradually hand over security duties before their planned withdrawal from most urban bases by June 30.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered an investigation by a police-military committee, noting that the number of robberies and attacks on jewelry stores, currency exchanges and pawn shops appears to be increasing.
Al-Maliki reminded Iraqis that it is impossible to wipe out lawlessness and extremist violence with "one blow.”
"There are channels and cells that will stay … so security is not finished by one military strike,” he said in a speech in central Baghdad.
Regulations coming
In parliament, meanwhile, lawmakers finally ended a long political impasse by electing a prominent Sunni member as its new speaker, opening the way for lawmakers to start dealing with reforms that have been on hold for nearly four months.
The election of Ayad al-Samarraie cleared the way for lawmakers to deal with laws to regulate the country’s oil and gas riches and to address possible constitutional changes on central government powers.
But the parliament only has a limited time to work, as Iraqi national elections are planned for later this year, possibly December.
Al-Samarraie, a member of the parliament’s finance committee, will succeed Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.
Al-Samarraie, who is a dual Iraqi-British citizen, lived in Britain for decades during Saddam Hussein’s rule and was one of the Iraqi exiles in contact with Washington before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.
"We will do our best to reform parliament and enable it to play a more active role,” he said shortly after being elected.
by the associated press
