National Assembly Denounces Arrest of Sunni Party Leader
(Tareek al-Shaab) Hachim al-Hasani, head of the National Assembly, has asked the multinational forces for an apology, compensation, and a return of the money confiscated from the home of Muhsin Abdul Hamid, head of the Iraqi Islamic Party. The arrest of Hamid and the raid on his home is considered a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, which the National Assembly completely rejects, al-Hasani said. President Jalal Talbani has also denounced the arrest of Hamid, who was briefly detained and then released.
(Tareek al-Shaab is issued by the Iraqi Communist Party.)

Arrest Warrant Issued for Former Transportation Minister
(Al-Adala) An arrest warrant has been issued for former Minister of Transportation, Luay al-Eris, while the corruption investigation of the ex-Labor Minister Layla Abdul Latif continued. A court official said al-Eris had been summoned to court to question him about corruption issues in his ministry. Al-Eris, who now resides in Amman, must come to court within one week.
(Al-Adala is issued daily by the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.)

Cartoon of the Day

Poisonous Watermelons Kill Police Officer
(Al-Mada) In a new way of targeting Iraqi security forces, insurgents have distributed poisonous watermelons to police checkpoints, which resulted in the death of one officer. Nine others were taken to the hospital for treatment. A Defense Ministry official said an unknown seller driving a pick-up truck distributed the poisonous watermelons to six checkpoints.
(Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada Institution for Media, Culture, and Arts.)

Government to Crackdown on Corruption
(Al-Mutamar) The Integrity Commission is setting up a program to inspect managers of government offices, who will also have to declare their assets. Commission chief Radhi al-Radhi said the move comes with an increasing number of corruption cases in government offices. Government offices that were already investigated will be looked into again because of changes in staff made after the formation of the new government. Al-Radhi said those suspected of corruption will be tried in court.
(Al-Mutamar is issued daily by the Iraqi National Congress.)

Iraqis Sentenced to Death for Murder of General
(Al-Mashriq) Three Iraqis were sentenced to the death penalty for the murder of Abdul Muhsin Ali Abdul Sada, a former Interior Ministry deputy brigadier general. Three others from Bangladesh were sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of illegally entering Iraq through Iran.
(Al-Mashriq is published daily by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments.)

Tiger Unit Given Control of Area in Baghdad
(Addustour) The Nemer (Tiger) Unit of the 2nd Brigade was officially given control of the Rasafa area of Baghdad during a ceremony held Wednesday. Jawad Roomi al-Daini, head of the brigade, said his forces are capable of dealing with the area that runs from Rahidiya to Rustamiya, and vowed to reestablish peace and security in the capital.
(Addustour is an independent daily published by former journalist Basim al-Sheikh.)

UN Envoy Denies Statement
(Azzaman) United Nation envoy Ashraf Kadhi, special representative of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, denied making statements that various Iraqi bodies were preventing the UN from participating in the drafting of the constitution. Kadhi added that the role of the UN in drafting the constitution comes at the request of Iraqi authorities. Khadi also said the UN looked forward to working with the Ministries of Finance and Planning to coordinate international aid to Iraq.
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz.)