Iraqi interim President Ghazi al-Yawer has threatened to use a "very sharp sword" to fight insurgents and anyone else threatening the security of the country. "Terrorism isn't just killing and blowing up bombs, whoever threatens the ordinary life of the people is a terrorist," Yawer told reporters during a meeting with Defence Minister Hazem Shaalan and National Guard Brigadier General Muther al-Rashardi.
The country has been wracked by violence since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime nearly 15 months ago. Foreign and local insurgents have launched numerous attacks on Iraqi civilian targets and against US forces in attempts to thwart the country's postwar reconstruction, killing US troops and hundreds of Iraqi civilians. "We have a very sharp sword ready for anyone who threatens the security of this country," Yawer said. "We want to tell anyone who wants to threaten the security of this country: 'Enough,' I say, 'Enough. Stop.'"
Yawer said the roughly 160,000 coalition forces led by the United States were required to stay in the country because of the danger posed by the insurgents, but violent groups should not use this as an excuse to continue attacks. "Those who claim they are resisting the occupation, the occupation is over now," he said. Security officials also sought to reassure Iraqis they were trying to restore order. Al-Rashardi said the national guard has divided the capital, Baghdad, into eight sections to make it easier to control and ensure security there. "We have very big plans to follow this up," Shaalan said. "We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for our people."
Yawer, a prominent Sunni whose position is largely ceremonial, said the government planned to announce an amnesty soon for some of the insurgents in the coming days. When the amnesty expired, however, he would work for the death penalty to be reintroduced here. Capital punishment was suspended during the US occupation. Under the previous regime of Saddam Hussein, some 114 offences could garner the death penalty. Yawer said the death penalty would be restricted to serious crimes, such as murder and rape, under the new government. |