Iraq parliament to meet in defiance of bomb attack

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq's parliament was on Friday to hold a special session to condemn a suicide bomb attack in the legislature's canteen that killed eight people and rattled the US military and Washington.

The bomber struck at the end of lunchtime as lawmakers were finishing their meals and lingered to chat, leaving pools of blood and body parts littered across the cafeteria.

The attack was the most spectacular breach of the multiple layers of security in the heavily fortified Green Zone, that houses the seat of the Iraqi government and foreign embassies, since the US-led invasion four years ago.

It was also the deadliest attack inside the zone, long considered the most secure place in Baghdad and a favourite target for mortar and rocket attacks from those opposed to the US-backed Iraqi government and American presence.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070413/wl_mideast_afp/iraq

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Iraqi parliament convenes for special session

More BAGHDAD, April 13 (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament convened on Friday in a special session to condemn a deadly suicide bombing in the building the day before.

The session began with the reading of passages from the Koran. Live television pictures showed that many lawmakers were not at the session.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1388494.htm

Three held in Iraq parliament blast probe - MP

BAGHDAD, April 13 (Reuters) - Three cafeteria workers in Iraq's parliament have been detained for questioning over a deadly suicide bombing at the heavily guarded building the day before, a senior lawmaker said on Friday.

Hasan al-Senaid, from the ruling Shi'ite Alliance bloc, said some parliamentary guards were also being investigated but none were being held.

"The investigations are ongoing inside the parliament. So far three workers from the cafeteria have been detained," Senaid told reporters outside the building, adding that no charges had been filed against the three.

A special parliamentary session to condemn the bombing was called by the speaker of parliament, Mahmoud Mashhadani, for 11 a.m. (0700 GMT), but the time passed with no sign of lawmakers gathering.

more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL320478.htm

[truthisfreedom]

1. This is the beginning of the very end.

With no safe place left in Iraqnam, we'll be seeing our kids coming home much sooner. bushco has been scared sh*tless this would happen... now we truly look helpless.

[bemildred]

2. Iraq parliament meets after bombing

Source: al Jazeera

The Iraqi parliament is holding a special session a day after eight people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the building's cafeteria.

Two parliamentarians were among the dead and 23 people were also injured in the most deadly attack ever carried out in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Members of parliament are expected to condemn the attack in the meeting which began at about 11am (07:00 GMT) on Friday with the reading of passages from the Koran.

However, many MPs appeared to have failed to attend the session.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BD286BEF-8A11-40B9-815A-A2B22B8ED233.htm

[tchunter]

3. first item on the agenda

moving to jordan

[Kagemusha]

4. I'm wondering if they'll try to pull any fast ones.

Guess we'll see.

[bemildred]

5. Iraq parliament bombing claimed by group loyal to Al Qaeda

BAGHDAD -- A group loyal to Al Qaeda claimed responsibility today for a bomb that blew up inside Iraq's parliament building, as Iraqi politicians held a special session to mourn a dead lawmaker and declare their refusal to be cowed by terrorists.

The meeting took place in the same building where Thursday's explosion occurred, on a day that marks the normal day of rest for Muslims. Many chairs in the chamber were empty, but that likely was because of an 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. citywide Friday vehicle ban that is intended to prevent suicide bombings.

Some of those who made it to the meeting bore wounds from the incident. One lawmaker's face was covered in tiny cuts, and his forearms were wrapped in bandages. U.S. military officials said at least eight people remained hospitalized.

The military also revised its casualty count from the attack, saying it could confirm only one death, not the eight previously reported. A statement attributed the change to the confusion that followed the explosion, which shattered a cafeteria where members of the legislature were finishing lunch after their morning session.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq14apr14,1,1358176.story?coll=la-headlines-world