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Bloomberg, The Times, AFP
April 12, 2005
IRAQ'S new President has called on US forces to remain in his country for at least two more years, allowing Iraq's security forces to rebuild and to defeat the insurgency.
Jalal Talabani told CNN yesterday that Iraq's priority was to build a force to secure the country.
"We are trying to build, as soon as possible, our military forces," Mr Talabani said. "I think within two years we can do it, and at the same time we will remain in full consultation and co-ordination, co-operation, with our American friends."
Mr Talabani also rebuffed calls to establish an Islamic state under the new constitution, which he predicted could be completed by the August 15 deadline.
"We respect the Islamic identity of Iraqi people, but we will not have an Islamic government," he said.
Politicians pressed ahead with business as members of the 275-member National Assembly met to hear proposed rules for governing the legislative body.
Hussein al-Sadr, a politician from the coalition of outgoing prime minister Ayad Allawi, said the group had decided to participate in the government, adding that the participation must be a "real and effective one and not a nominal one".
He said the coalition was demanding four ministerial posts, including one of the main ministries.
"If our demands are not met, then we will lead the opposition in the parliament," Mr Sadr said.
Ali al-Dabagh, from the Shi'ite-led United Iraq Alliance, said he thought the demands were too high.
Meanwhile, three suicide car bombers hit a US military post in western Iraq yesterday, near the Syrian border.
Two soldiers were wounded at the attack on Camp Gannon, but it was not known whether they were coalition or Iraqi casualties.
In London, The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that toppled president Saddam Hussein could avoid the death penalty under a secret proposal by insurgent leaders that Iraq's new administration was "seriously considering".
A reprieve is understood to be among the central demands of Sunni nationalists and former members of Saddam's Baath party, who have reportedly begun negotiations with the Government.
An Iraqi official said those involved in the negotiations included senior members of Saddam's Fedayeen militia and a group of former army officers.
"We don't expect them to stop fighting unconditionally," the official said. "Sending Saddam to prison for the rest of his life is not a huge price for us to pay, but it will save them a lot of face."
Iraqi authorities said yesterday they had arrested a nephew of Saddam suspected of playing a major part in financing the country's insurgency.
A government statement said Ibrahim Sabawi - son of Sabawi Ibrahim al-Tikriti, a half-brother of Saddam also being held in custody for allegedly bankrolling rebels - was arrested "recently" near Baghdad.
"Ibrahim Sabawi was part of the circle of those close to the deposed regime. Up until his arrest he was financing the terrorists, as was the case for his father Sabawi," the statement said.
His father, who was a presidential adviser to Saddam and an intelligence chief, was No36 on the US list of 55 most-wanted former regime officials in Iraq.
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