Iraq to Review All Security Companies
18 September 2007
Iraq says it will review the operations of all security companies working in the country, following a deadly gunbattle involving U.S. security contractors in Baghdad.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Tuesday, the Cabinet has decided to review all local and foreign security companies in accordance with Iraqi law.
He said the Cabinet also supported the Interior Ministry's decision to withdraw the license of Blackwater USA, the company involved in a shooting Sunday in which Iraqi officials say eight civilians were killed.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to express regret for civilian deaths and promise a full investigation into the incident, in which a U.S. diplomatic convoy came under attack and its private security escort started shooting.
Blackwater USA provides security for many U.S. civilian operations in Iraq.
In violence Tuesday, Iraqi police said at least nine people were killed and several others wounded in two separate car bomb explosions in Baghdad.
The attacks took place near the health ministry in central Baghdad and in an eastern part of the city. Officials say insurgents also fired one mortar shell into the health ministry area.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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