M A I N   N E W S

Chalabi aides interim leaders

Dubai, April 17
Two close associates of Mr Ahmad Chalabi, head of the Iraqi National Congress and the man tipped to be Iraq’s next leader, have been made interim leaders of Baghdad.

Muhammad Mohsen al-Zubaidi, an Iraqi dissident who lived in Iran, has been chosen as the head of the provisional administration of Baghdad upon his return to Iraq.

Jaudat Obeidi has been selected as Mayor of the city.

Choosing al-Zubaidi for occupying the sensitive post was done after intense consultations with prominent personalities in Baghdad, Obeidi was quoted as saying by the Al-Jazeera TV network.

Seen in this image from video shown on Wednesday is what is believed to be, according to Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera, a hideaway used by Saddam Hussein in the final days of the US-led attack on Baghdad. . — AP/PTI photo

“al-Zubaidi will hold the post until the future free elections,” he said but did not mention a date for the said polls or whether it was done with the approval of the USA.

According to Obeidi, the interim government of Baghdad will be commissioned the task of restoring security and stability in the Iraqi Capital, as well as restoring water and power to the city.

Al-Jazeera also quoted al-Zubaidi as saying that he is backed by a number of Iraqi dissidents inside and outside the country, as well as some prominent personalities in Baghdad. PTI

	US-led forces, searching for members of Saddam Hussein's government, captured Barzan Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, the ousted Iraqi leader's half-brother and former head of Iraqi intelligence, in Baghdad on Thursday. (A file photo) — Reuters