LOC22:25
19:25 GMT
BAGHDAD, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- Iraqi leaders on Friday called for calmness and
self restraint to preserve national unity amid growing fears of fresh
sectarian tension after the heinous attack on a Shiite pilgrims bus.
"Criminals do not spare any sect. Those killed in Nakheeb were Shiites and
Sunnis," Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki told a local TV channel as quoted by
the government statement.
Al-Maliki also condemned what he called "irresponsible statements that may
lead to igniting sedition between Anbar and Karbala provinces."
On Monday, 22 male Shiite pilgrims accompanying their families en route to
Syria were killed by gunmen who had stopped their bus at a fake police
checkpoint.
The militants calmly separated the women and children passengers, taking
only the men, who were then all shot repeatedly in the head and chest.
On Thursday, the force from Municipal Council of the Shiite Karbala
province arrested 10 people, including two Imams, from the Sunni Anbar
Province in connection with the incident.
The move angered Anbar residents who took to streets demanding the suspects
be returned and warning of possible new sectarian tension.
Anbar provincial officials accused Mohammed al-Moussawi, chairman of the
Karbala Provincial Council, of "kidnapping" the suspects because he is not
entitled to sent Karbala forces to arrest people in other province.
The protesters also threatened with reciprocal moves against Karbala people.
Seeking to ease the tension, the Iraqi government said it moved the
suspects from Karbala to Baghdad.
"They (the suspects) are in Baghdad under investigation. If anything is
proved against them they will get their fair punishment. If they are innocent,
they will be released," Iraqi Premier said.
Al-Maliki Sunni Deputy Saleh Al-Mutalq urged all Iraqi not to follow
terrorist plans.
"We should spare them (terrorists) the chance to destabilize Iraq and
jeopardize national unity," he said. (end)
mhg.ibi
KUNA 162225 Sep 11NNNN