Around the World: Iraq

Baath ruling reversed

An Iraqi appeals panel that angered Shi'ite leaders by suspending a ban on candidates accused of links to Saddam Hussein's Baath party until after an election reversed its decision yesterday, politicians said.

The change came as Shi'ite parties held protests and vowed to purge Baath loyalists. It took some wind out of a furor that has stoked tensions before the March 7 vote, and parliament delayed a planned debate on the issue as a result.