Iraq government set on crushing insurgents

BAGHDAD, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi vowed Tuesday to keep up military operations aimed at crushing insurgents and to purge Iraqi cities of terrorists.

Speaking to the Iraqi National Council, Allawi hailed the efforts of Iraqi national guards and police in restoring security in the country and stressed that the offensive in Samarrai will be repeated against other rebellious cities resisting legitimate government control.

"The government is determined to fight the criminal gangs and the military operations carried out by the heroic Iraqi forces with the help of multinational troops will continue until security and stability are restored to all Iraqi cities threatened by terrorists," Allawi said.

"The terrorists are challenging our will and betting on our failure. ... Would we let them do that?" he asked.

U.S.-backed Iraqi forces waged an all-out offensive against Samarrai, in the so-called Sunni Triangle near Baghdad, last week to root out Sunni gunmen who controlled the city.

The U.S. army said more than 100 insurgents were killed and scores of others captured in the offensive which lasted four days and ended with restoring government control over the city.

Allawi said his government was also determined to ensure the right atmosphere for holding honest and legitimate general elections as scheduled in January.

He said the government prepared plans to restore security and "prevent terrorist groups from obstructing the political process in the country."

"The government issued warnings against rebellious groups and figures and affirmed to them that it is determined to eliminate all spots of trouble and insurgencies," Allawi said.