Iraq gov't embraces 'tyrannical mentality'

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BAGHDAD, July 8 (UPI) -- The Shiite-led government of Iraq follows a "tyrannical mentality" that stokes the fires of sectarian conflict, a spokesman for the Islamic Army in Iraq said.

In an interview with the NEFA Foundation, a non-profit terrorist research organization, Dr. Ali al-Naimi with the Islamic Army in Iraq said the issues plaguing Iraq are not caused by the diversity of the Iraqi people, but by the Shiite leadership and U.S. "occupiers."

"(The Shiite political parties) follow a corrupt, tyrannical mentality that has produced sectarian death squads in the territory of this dominion, which boasts many mottos of national unity," he said.

The Islamic Army in Iraq is a militant organization with alleged sympathies to the former Baathist regime of Saddam Hussein, though Naimi seemingly refuted that link.

"We have absolutely no relation to the former regime which was ruling in Iraq," he said, adding those who opposed Saddam are "much worse dictators and oppressors than he ever was."

The spokesman said the objective of the organization was to work with other insurgent groups to confront "the American occupation" and establish a better Iraqi state.

"Our goals are to drive the occupiers out and to put an end to the oppression of the Iraqi people, through establishing a state of justice and equality that will be based on the cornerstones of our nation," he said.