M A I N   N E W S

Marines start leaving Baghdad

Baghdad, April 19
US Marines who seized much of Baghdad earlier this month started pulling out of the Iraqi capital today, handing over control to US army units as the military’s mission moves from combat to policing.

Two battalions — roughly 1,600 Marines — left Baghdad today to head south to an assembly area some 40-50 km northeast of the town of Kerbala, Marine officers said.

Marines strapped their backpacks onto armoured personnel carriers and began trundling out of the city. Two departing Marines sitting on top of one vehicle flashed victory V-signs at a Reuters television team as they passed.

“A couple of the units left today,’’ said Major Dan Smith of the US Marines’ 1st Tank Battalion, adding that they would carry on with tasks similar to those they had begun in Baghdad.

“It’s basically nation-building, providing security, making sure the water, electricity, sanitation and all that kind of things are functioning,’’ he told Reuters in eastern Baghdad.

“They’re going to meet with the local leadership and begin to stand up local governments or facilitate governments that may already be there,’’ he said.

The Marines’ move is part of a plan to reorganise the overall pattern of US forces in Iraq. Troops from the army’s 3rd Infantry Division will remain in Baghdad, while the 4th Infantry Division will cover the northern part of the country.

Senior officers say there are about 15,000 U.S. Marines deployed in and around Baghdad. Reuters

Saddam’s Finance Minister arrested

As Sayliya Camp (Qatar), April 19
US troops in Baghdad have taken Saddam Hussein’s Finance Minister in custody in Baghdad after he was captured by the Iraqi police, a US military spokesman told Reuters today.

Hikmat Ibrahim al-Azzawi was number 45 on a list of 55 Saddam supporters most wanted by the USA and was also a Deputy Prime Minister. He was being held by US Marines, Major Randi Steffy said at Central Command in Qatar. Reuters

US troops have taken Saddam Hussein's Finance Minister into custody in Baghdad after he was captured by Iraqi police, a US military spokesman told Reuters on Saturday. Hikmat Ibrahim al-Azzawi was number 45 on a list of 55 Saddam supporters most wanted by the United States and was also a deputy Prime Minister. —  Reuters photo