IRAQ: Thousands Shi'ites demonstrate in cities throughout Iraq over the detention of Ammar Hakim

Iraqis took to the streets of Shi'ite towns and cities to protest over the detention by U.S. troops of the eldest son of Abdul-Aziz al- Hakim, one of Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite leaders. The U.S. military said Ammar al-Hakim was held on Friday because members of his convoy acted suspiciously at a border checkpoint while returning from Iran. He was released after several hours. Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated in Shi'ite cities throughout Iraq on Saturday (February 24) to denounce the detention of the eldest son of Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite leaders. Chanting support for the religious authority, the demonstrators carried black and green flags and lifted pictures of Iraq's Shi'ite figures including Iraq's highest religious authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the late ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, former head of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) who was killed in a bombing in Najaf in August 2003, and picture of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. Washington has accused Iran of fuelling violence in Iraq and has expressed discomfort at historic links between Tehran and the SCIRI, which was based in Iran during Saddam Hussein's rule. Ammar Hakim's convoy was stopped at the Badrah checkpoint in Wasit province as he returned from Iran. It was not immediately clear why he had been detained. The security officials said U.S. forces had taken him to Forward Operating Base Delta, a U.S. camp in near Kut, capital of Wasit province. Iraq closed its borders with Iran and Syria for 72 hours last week. U.S. officials said security at checkpoints was being improved to check the flow of weapons and foreign fighters. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said he was unaware why Ammar had been detained, but added no disrespect was intended. Ammar was released several hours after being detained.

ITN Source | February 24, 2007

Tags:. .saturday. .pictures. .members. .leaders. .towns