Iraq claims foreign security 'excessive'
Iraqi government officials said Monday a foreign security contractors' actions in Baghdad a day earlier that killed nine civilians was excessive.
Midday Sunday, a U.S. State Department motorcade came under attack, and the private security company "escalated the force to defend themselves," an unidentified U.S. Embassy official in Baghdad told a Washington Post correspondent.
A Post employee saw security company helicopters firing into the streets, which Interior Ministry officials said killed nine people and wounded 13 others.
Iraqi state television reported Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki condemned the "criminal operation" and said he would "punish" the unidentified private security company and shut down its operations.
Iraqi Brig. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, an Interior Ministry spokesman, said the company's permit to operate would likely be withdrawn and criminal prosecution was also possible.
"The security company contractors opened fire randomly on the civilians," he said. "We consider this act a crime." // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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