Iraq removes key police commanders

BAGHDAD, Iraq Iraq's Shiite-dominated Interior Ministry said Tuesday it had removed two officers in charge of commando units as part of its restructuring plan of the national police force.

Brig. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, the ministry's spokesman, said the two officers — Maj. Gen. Rashid Filah and Maj. Gen. Mahdi Sabbih — were transferred from their posts but denied their removal was a demotion or had anything to do with widespread allegations that police commandos were involved in some of the violence directed against Sunni Arabs.

"The leadership of the national police was changed to restructure the Interior Ministry," said Khalaf, flanked by Filah and Sabbih in business suits, rather than the camouflage fatigues associated with Iraq's police commandos.

"Because of their sacrifices and their experience, both of these leaders were named to high-ranking posts," the spokesman said.

Khalaf said the restructuring of the ministry, which is in charge of the police, would touch all departments and may result in the creation of new ones. He did not elaborate.

Read the rest at the International Herald Tribune

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