Anbar transfer exposes sectarian rift

RAMADI, Iraq, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The security transfer in Iraq's Anbar province from U.S. to Iraqi forces has exposed a growing rift between Sunni tribal leaders and the central government.

The Iraqi military assumed control over Anbar province Monday. The Sunni province was once the bastion of al-Qaida in Iraq, and the transfer earned praise from U.S. President George Bush who said, "Anbar is no longer lost to al-Qaida."

But the ouster of al-Qaida and security improvements in the once restive province have exposed a growing tension between Sunni tribal leaders and the government in Baghdad, the Iraqi television network al-Sumaria said Thursday.

Tribal leaders in Anbar blame the Sunni Islamic Party of Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi of meddling in the provincial leadership.

Sunni leaders from the Awakening Councils, who gained prominence for battling al-Qaida and are vying for more power, also accuse the central government of interference ahead of provincial elections, tentatively scheduled for spring.

Omar Abdul Sattar, the leader of the Islamic Party, denied the allegations.