(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-27 20:03

Shaab is the same neighborhood where masked gunmen killed 11 relatives of a journalist critical of the Iraqi government on Sunday, according to colleagues and the media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders. Khalaf, however, denied the earlier deaths had taken place.

"The killing of the 11 family members did not take place and that is totally confirmed," he said.

In Amman, Jordan, the journalist challenged the Iraqi government's account and accused the Interior Ministry forces of involvement in the deaths. Dhia al-Kawaz said they raided a wake in Iraq for his slain family Tuesday in the predominantly Shiite city of Kut, 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, tearing down banners commemorating the dead.

Al-Kawaz, who has lived outside Iraq for 20 years, said the killing of his family members was "a message to me to any journalist inside Iraq or outside Iraq who opposes the policies of the Iraqi government."

Northern Baghdad's top US commander, Army Col. Don Farris, said some Shiite groups in the area were still getting weapons, training and funding from neighboring Iran.

"I have not seen those attacks abate, and I have not seen any indication that they intend to stop," Farris said.

Iran has repeatedly denied US allegations that it helps Iraqi extremists, but Iraqi authorities said in August that Iranian officials promised Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that they would stem the flow of weapons and ammunition smuggled to extremists in Iraq.

In the last few weeks, a half dozen US officials and commanders have commented on the pledge - some saying it was still unclear whether Iran had abided by it and others saying it appeared Iran was following through because there had been a drop in the number of roadside bombs found.

President Bush and al-Maliki on Monday signed an agreement setting the foundation for a potential long-term US presence in Iraq. Details of the military, economic and political relationship will be negotiated in 2008, with a completion goal of July, when the US intends to finish withdrawing the five combat brigades sent in 2007 as part of the troop buildup that has helped curb sectarian violence.

"What US troops are doing, how many troops are required to do that, are bases required, which partners will join them - all these things are on the negotiating table," said Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, Bush's adviser on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

   1 2   

   1 2