Monday October 26, 2009

Iraq renews call for U.N. probe after Baghdad bombings

By Waleed Ibrahim

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq renewed calls on Monday for a U.N. inquiry into the support given by foreign countries to insurgents after twin suicide blasts against government buildings in Baghdad killed more than 150 people.

Local residents gather at the site of a car bomb attack targeting the building of the Ministry of Justice in Baghdad October 25, 2009. Iraq renewed calls on Monday for a U.N. inquiry into the support given by foreign countries to insurgents after twin suicide blasts against government buildings in Baghdad. (REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen/Files)

Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said Sunday's bloodshed reinforced the need for the international community to help Iraq defend itself against bomb attacks as it emerges from years of sectarian conflict unleashed by the 2003 U.S. invasion.

"The bloody Sunday explosions strengthen Iraq's demand to the U.N. and the Security Council to nominate a senior international envoy to come to Iraq and evaluate the degree of interference targeting stability in Iraq," Zebari told al-Arabiya television.

"I believe this will be achieved soon, especially after (Sunday's) explosions confirmed that this issue is vital and important. We need the help of the international community."

Overall violence in Iraq has fallen sharply in the past 18 months as widespread fighting between its once dominant Sunni Muslims and majority Shi'ite Muslims faded. But a stubborn Sunni Islamist insurgency continues to carry out regular bomb attacks.

Iraq has blamed Sunday's attack against the Justice Ministry and the Baghdad provincial governorate, and bombings on Aug. 19 that devastated the Foreign and Finance Ministries, on al Qaeda and supporters of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party.

The government has accused neighbouring Syria of providing a safe haven for Baathists plotting attacks.

Syria has denounced the accusations as immoral and bilateral relations have soured despite attempts at mediation by Turkey.

Iraqi officials have also accused some in Saudi Arabia of financing insurgents in Iraq, and neighbouring power Iran has long been accused of arming and training Shi'ite militias.

Saudi Arabia and Iran reject the accusations.

Maliki formally asked the U.N. Security Council after the Aug. 19 bombings to set up an independent international commission of inquiry to look into the attacks.

Maliki's request did not specifically name Syria, or any other country, but it said the blasts "rise to the level of crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity punishable under international law".

The Iraqi request is similar to one that Lebanon put to the Security Council following the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. The council launched an investigation and set up a tribunal in the Netherlands, but no one has so far been indicted and inquiries continue.

(Writing by Michael Christie; Editing by Alison Williams)

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