Norway newspaper calls for P.M. to resign

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OSLO, Norway, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A major Norwegian newspaper Tuesday called for Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to resign, blaming his government for failing to prevent Anders Breivik's attack.

In calling for Stoltenberg to step down, Verdens Gang cited the report by the 22 July Commission that concluded the domestic terrorist could have been stopped.

"The social institutions that would protect the land and people, did not work," the editorial in Norway's second-largest circulation newspaper stated. "They failed. They failed us.

"Our government has simply not been able to protect us because of incompetence, lack of follow-up to make decisions and deviations from specific contingency plans.

"Stoltenberg has a majority in Parliament, and thus the power to be seated. But he should have the decency to go."

A survey conducted for Norwegian Broadcasting found 72 percent of those polled think Stoltenberg should stay and 21 percent said he should go, the news Web site Views and News from Norway reported. The Web site said Stoltenberg said he viewed the survey results as a sign he must work to carry out the report's recommendations to improve security and preparedness in Norway.

Seventy-seven people were killed -- eight in a bombing at a government building and 69 others on nearby Utoya Island -- when Breivik carried out his attacks July 22, 2011.

"The police and security services could and should have done more to avert the crisis," CNN quoted commission leader Alexandra Bech Gjorv as saying Monday.