(Asharq al-Awsat) - Prime Minister Ayad Allawi yesterday expressed regret that relations with Muqtada al-Sadr have deviated along a route that does not serve the people of Iraq. He also urged Sadr to resort to the language of civilised, rational dialogue. "I wished al-Sadr resorted to democratic methods via political action," added Allawi. "We have always said this is a transitional situation which will be followed by elections through which people can choose their leadership," he concluded.
(London-based Asharq al-Awsat, a pro-Saudi independent paper, is issued daily.)

(Azzaman) - The new government is aiming to cancel the National Board of de-Baathification. Sources from the government said Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is continuing a reform programme including a review of hasty decisions made by the Governing Council and the Coalition Provisional Authority such as de-Baathification. The sources emphasised that this programme is part of the national reconciliation project, and that Baathists who committed no crimes may be eligible to resume their posts.
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz.)

(Al-Mada) - Polish military forces have withdrawn from the buildings of the Governor and Police of Karbala after an improvement in the security situation, said Rahman Mshawi, information spokesman of the Karbala Police Directorate. Mshawi said this withdrawal resulted from an agreement between Polish Commander Edward Kroshka and Police Commander Brigadier General Abbas Fadhil al-Hasani. "The stable security situation was the reason behind withdrawal," added Mshawi.
(Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts.)