A+ A-

Iraq leaders urge self restraint amid fears of fresh sectarian tension

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