Baghdad seeks Baathists for Aug. 19 blast

BAGHDAD, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government called on Damascus to hand over two Baathist leaders who Baghdad claims were involved in a deadly attack on the capital last week.

Cabinet officials Tuesday decided to issue a formal request to Damascus to hand over the suspects as both capitals pulled their ambassadors in the wake of the deadly Aug. 19 bombings.

"During its regular session held today, the Cabinet has decided to ask the government of the Arab Republic of Syria to hand over Mohammed Younis al-Ahmed and Satam Farhan for their direct involvement in the terrorist operation," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told the Voices of Iraq news agency.

Lawmakers also called on Damascus to hand over any suspects "who committed murder" against the Iraqi people.

A series of coordinated attacks rocked Baghdad last week, killing more than 100 people and wounding thousands in one of the deadliest bombings in years. Baghdad blames supporters of former dictator Saddam Hussein for plotting the attacks, though al-Qaida in Iraq came forward with claims of responsibility Tuesday.

Meanwhile, officials in the eastern province of Wassit blamed Baath supporters for detonating two vehicles on the main highway from the provincial capital Kut to Baghdad.

Those explosions Monday left at least 15 people dead and more than 20 wounded.

Mahdi Ali, the deputy head of the Wassit provincial council, blamed the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the rise in violence.

"This is an obvious security malfunction in the capital," he said.