Iraq's defense ministry says security forces have arrested 93 suspects in an al-Qaida crackdown in the western Anbar province.A defense ministry spokesman, Major General Mohammed al-Askari, said Thursday the arrests included 60 wanted men. He said the detentions resulted from a series of raids launched late Tuesday that included help from police, the army, pro-government tribal forces and members of an anti-al-Qaida militia.
Earlier this week, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki named security as one of his top priorities after parliament approved cabinet ministers for his new government.
Meanwhile, Iraqi officials say gunmen using silencers have killed a brigadier general and wounded a police lieutenant colonel. Both incidents occurred late Wednesday in Baghdad.