Menu
13/11/2003
Italians will stay on in Iraq despite bombing
Silvio Berlusconi has today restated his country's commitment to Iraq following Tuesday's blast in which 18 Italians and nine Iraqis were killed.
The blast on Tuesday occurred after a suicide bomber drove a petrol tanker at the Italian headquarters in the town of Nasiriyah. That was the largest loss of life suffered by the coalition since the ending of hostilities in May. Only last week, 16 US forces personnel being transported via helicopter were killed when it was brought down in a rocket attack.
The Italian government said that its deployment in Iraq would continue in order to ensure the creation of "security and freedom".
Italy currently has around 2,400 personnel operating in southern Iraq under British autonomy.
The sudden and tragic upsurge of losses in allied troops preceded the recall of Iraq's civilian administrator Paul Bremer, who returned to Washington for the second time in two weeks.
Earlier this week, speculation mounted that the US was closing in on an exit strategy for its military and a mass withdrawal from Iraq could be expected soon. Marine General Peter Pace revealed that the US would reduce its deployment of 130,000, down to 105,000 by April next year.
At a White House press conference on Tuesday, Mr Bremer said that two questions were now crucial - how does the coalition win the war on terrorism in Iraq, and how should the move proceed toward a sovereign Iraqi government?
"I'll be taking (the governing council) a message from the president that he remains steadfast in his determination to defeat terrorism in Iraq and steadfast in his determination to give the Iraqis authority over their country, authority they're already beginning to assume very quickly in the area of security and in the area of running the Iraqi ministries," Mr Bremer said.
He added that he was "confident and optimistic" over the eventual outcome in Iraq.
However, he warned: "We're going to have difficult days ahead because the terrorists are determined to deny the Iraqis the right to run their own country. We're not going to let them get away with that."
(gmcg)
The blast on Tuesday occurred after a suicide bomber drove a petrol tanker at the Italian headquarters in the town of Nasiriyah. That was the largest loss of life suffered by the coalition since the ending of hostilities in May. Only last week, 16 US forces personnel being transported via helicopter were killed when it was brought down in a rocket attack.
The Italian government said that its deployment in Iraq would continue in order to ensure the creation of "security and freedom".
Italy currently has around 2,400 personnel operating in southern Iraq under British autonomy.
The sudden and tragic upsurge of losses in allied troops preceded the recall of Iraq's civilian administrator Paul Bremer, who returned to Washington for the second time in two weeks.
Earlier this week, speculation mounted that the US was closing in on an exit strategy for its military and a mass withdrawal from Iraq could be expected soon. Marine General Peter Pace revealed that the US would reduce its deployment of 130,000, down to 105,000 by April next year.
At a White House press conference on Tuesday, Mr Bremer said that two questions were now crucial - how does the coalition win the war on terrorism in Iraq, and how should the move proceed toward a sovereign Iraqi government?
"I'll be taking (the governing council) a message from the president that he remains steadfast in his determination to defeat terrorism in Iraq and steadfast in his determination to give the Iraqis authority over their country, authority they're already beginning to assume very quickly in the area of security and in the area of running the Iraqi ministries," Mr Bremer said.
He added that he was "confident and optimistic" over the eventual outcome in Iraq.
However, he warned: "We're going to have difficult days ahead because the terrorists are determined to deny the Iraqis the right to run their own country. We're not going to let them get away with that."
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 June 2004
Bremer jets home after US transfers power early in Iraq
It was a subdued affair, but the US has handed over power in Iraq two days before the transfer was scheduled to take place. At a press conference in Washington this morning, a spokesperson for the Bush administration said that Iraqis had moved at "warp-speed" in taking control of government.
Bremer jets home after US transfers power early in Iraq
It was a subdued affair, but the US has handed over power in Iraq two days before the transfer was scheduled to take place. At a press conference in Washington this morning, a spokesperson for the Bush administration said that Iraqis had moved at "warp-speed" in taking control of government.
17 January 2005
Iraq elections must be fully inclusive, says UN envoy
On a day that saw at least 15 Iraqis die in insurgent attacks, the United Nations envoy to the country has said that the impending Iraqi elections, scheduled to take place at the end of this month, must be as inclusive as possible.
Iraq elections must be fully inclusive, says UN envoy
On a day that saw at least 15 Iraqis die in insurgent attacks, the United Nations envoy to the country has said that the impending Iraqi elections, scheduled to take place at the end of this month, must be as inclusive as possible.
12 February 2004
Iraq terror bombers care nothing for the country's people: Straw
The terrorists who committed the bomb attacks in Iraq this week "care nothing for the country's people", the Foreign Secretary has said today. Mr Straw said that the perpetrators had "callously targeted" those Iraqis who wanted to "serve their countrymen and work to build a safer future for all".
Iraq terror bombers care nothing for the country's people: Straw
The terrorists who committed the bomb attacks in Iraq this week "care nothing for the country's people", the Foreign Secretary has said today. Mr Straw said that the perpetrators had "callously targeted" those Iraqis who wanted to "serve their countrymen and work to build a safer future for all".
22 February 2006
Blast wrecks Shia shrine
Bombers have seriously damaged one of Shia Islam's most holy sites in Iraq. The al-Askari shrine in Samarra was severely damaged in an early morning raid carried out by two bombers. The shrine's golden dome was blasted off in the attack and there have been reports of reprisal raids on Sunni holy sites in other parts of the country.
Blast wrecks Shia shrine
Bombers have seriously damaged one of Shia Islam's most holy sites in Iraq. The al-Askari shrine in Samarra was severely damaged in an early morning raid carried out by two bombers. The shrine's golden dome was blasted off in the attack and there have been reports of reprisal raids on Sunni holy sites in other parts of the country.
08 February 2006
Reid suggests UK troops could soon leave Iraq
Defence Secretary John Reid has suggested that UK troops could begin withdrawing from Iraq this year. In a speech to the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday, Mr Reid said that the "time is approaching" when coalition forces could begin leaving Iraq. However, he stressed that the government would not "cut and run".
Reid suggests UK troops could soon leave Iraq
Defence Secretary John Reid has suggested that UK troops could begin withdrawing from Iraq this year. In a speech to the Foreign Press Association in London yesterday, Mr Reid said that the "time is approaching" when coalition forces could begin leaving Iraq. However, he stressed that the government would not "cut and run".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
