Iraq PM Announces Formation of Spy Agency
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's interim prime minister announced the formation of a domestic spy agency on Thursday in a bid to uncover insurgents carrying out daily attacks on U.S.-led troops and Iraqi forces.
Speaking at a news conference amid an upsurge in violence in Iraq, Iyad Allawi said he was forming the General Security Directorate, a domestic intelligence network, which would attempt to infiltrate and expose those behind the insurgency.
"We are determined to bring down all the hurdles that stand in the way of our democracy ... terrorism will be terminated, God willing," Allawi said.
The prime minister, whose government regained sovereignty from the United States on June 28, said security was gradually improving and said he had been working hard to boost border controls to prevent foreign insurgents entering the country.
Last week, Iraq and Syria agreed to work to tighten controls along their long desert border and Allawi said he would shortly make a tour of neighboring Arab and Islamic states to discuss issues including border security.
Allawi said he would leave on a visit to Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt next week, and afterwards make a trip to Iran, Pakistan and Europe. ...............
"The safety of Iraqis is central to our agenda. Of course, we can use our strength and force but we will always do everything under the rule of law," he said.
Members of Iraq's interim government, including President Ghazi al-Yawar, have pushed for the re-introduction of the death penalty, suspended during the U.S. occupation, but many of Iraq's foreign allies, particularly in Europe, are opposed.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's interim prime minister announced the formation of a domestic spy agency on Thursday in a bid to uncover insurgents carrying out daily attacks on U.S.-led troops and Iraqi forces.
Speaking at a news conference amid an upsurge in violence in Iraq, Iyad Allawi said he was forming the General Security Directorate, a domestic intelligence network, which would attempt to infiltrate and expose those behind the insurgency.
"We are determined to bring down all the hurdles that stand in the way of our democracy ... terrorism will be terminated, God willing," Allawi said.
The prime minister, whose government regained sovereignty from the United States on June 28, said security was gradually improving and said he had been working hard to boost border controls to prevent foreign insurgents entering the country.
Last week, Iraq and Syria agreed to work to tighten controls along their long desert border and Allawi said he would shortly make a tour of neighboring Arab and Islamic states to discuss issues including border security.
Allawi said he would leave on a visit to Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt next week, and afterwards make a trip to Iran, Pakistan and Europe. ...............
"The safety of Iraqis is central to our agenda. Of course, we can use our strength and force but we will always do everything under the rule of law," he said.
Members of Iraq's interim government, including President Ghazi al-Yawar, have pushed for the re-introduction of the death penalty, suspended during the U.S. occupation, but many of Iraq's foreign allies, particularly in Europe, are opposed.
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