Iraqis told to arm themselves

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Robert H. Reid

Associated Press

BAGHDAD - Prominent Shiite and Sunni politicians have called on Iraqi civilians to take up arms to defend themselves after a weekend of violence that claimed more than 220 lives, including 60 who died Sunday in a surge of bombings and shootings around Baghdad.

That bloodshed paled in comparison with the carnage Saturday, when a truck bomb devastated the public market in Armili, a town north of the capital.

There was still confusion over the death toll. Abbas al-Bayati, a Shiite lawmaker, said 130 had died.

At a news conference Sunday in Baghdad, Bayati criticized the security situation in Armili, saying its police force had only 30 members.

In the absence of enough security forces, Bayati said authorities should help residents "arm themselves" for their own protection.

The call for civilians to take up arms in their own defense was echoed Sunday by the country's Sunni Arab vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, who said all Iraqis must "pay the price" for terrorism.

"People have a right to expect from the government and security agencies protection for their lives, land, honor and property," Hashemi said in a statement.

"But in the case of (their) inability, the people have no choice but to take up their own defense."

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

"People have a right to expect from the government and security agencies protection for their lives, land, honor and property," Hashemi said in a statement.

LOL, these people want government to be in the business of protecting the 'honor' of private citizens? Morons.

[mawilson 2,133]

- You coward! You just shot an unarmed man!

- He should have armed himself, if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend