Iraqi Premier Offers Plan to Stop Violence; Sunnis, Shiites to Work Toward Security

BAGHDAD, Oct. 2 -- Iraq's prime minister announced a new plan Monday aimed at ending the deepening crisis between Shiite and Sunni parties in his government and uniting them behind the drive to stop sectarian killings that have bloodied the country for months.

The four-point plan, which emerged after talks between both sides, aims to resolve disputes by giving every party a voice in how security forces operate against violence on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis.

Local committees will be formed in each Baghdad district -- made up of representatives of every party, religious and tribal leaders and security officials -- to consult on security efforts. A Sunni representative, for example, could raise a complaint if he thinks police are not pursuing a Shiite militia after an attack. A central committee, also comprising all the parties, will coordinate with the armed forces.

"We have taken the decision to end sectarian hatred once and for all," Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said. "We have vowed before almighty God to stop the bloodshed."

In a possible boost to the effort to rein in the violence, a radical cleric who leads one of the most powerful Shiite militias, Moqtada al-Sadr, has ordered his followers to put aside their weapons temporarily, a Sadr spokesman said.

Maliki announced his plan hours after gunmen abducted 14 computer shop employees in a bold midday attack in downtown Baghdad, the second mass kidnapping in as many days.

The bodies of seven of the 24 captives seized Sunday at a frozen-meat factory were found dumped in southern Baghdad.

Sunni politicians blamed Shiite militias for both mass kidnappings and demanded the government take action.

Read the rest at the Washington Post

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