Attacks targeting Iraqi forces kill at least 10

BAGHDAD (AP):

A spate of attacks targeting Iraqi security forces and their allies killed at least 10 people yesterday, half in suicide bombings in the northern city of Mosul, officials said.

The ability of insurgents to strike against Iraqi police and soldiers has raised worries about their competence as Iraq takes over its own security ahead of the planned United States withdrawal of combat troops by the end of August.

Fears also are high that militants will take advantage of public anger over the political deadlock following inconclusive March 7, parliamentary elections to stage more attacks and foment more instability.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will meet his main rival, Ayad Allawi, for a second time in coming days to discuss the political situation.

Maysoun al-Damlouji, a spokes-woman for the Allawi's bloc, declined to confirm the report but said both men had talked by phone on Wednesday.

Formed an alliance

The two men, who disagree over who should form the new government, last met on June 12. Allawi's Sunni-backed Iraqiya list won two more seats than the prime minister's state of law bloc, but al-Maliki has formed an alliance with another mainly Shiite group. Their alliance is only four seats shy of a simple majority in the 325-seat legislature.

Meanwhile, Iraq's representative to the Arab League said his country has begun preparations to host next year's summit of the 22-member organisation.

It would be the first high-profile international event to be held in Iraq since the 2003 US invasion.

Qais al-Azzawi said $100 million has been allocated to restore palaces that can be used for the event.

Some Arab officials have expressed concern about holding the meeting in Baghdad, citing security conditions and the continuing presence of US troops.

Hesham Youssef, the Arab League spokesman, confirmed that the summit would be held in Iraq.

Hosting the summit would show that Iraq can "stand on its feet," al-Azzawi said.

Overall violence has dropped sharply in Iraq, but government security forces are frequently targeted as the American military prepares to end its combat mission in Iraq this summer, with the deadline for a full withdrawal by the end of next year.