AMMAN, Jordan, May 31 (UPI) -- Jordan's independent al-Ghad daily Tuesday criticized U.S. forces for the "stupid" arrest of a prominent Iraqi Islamic leader.
The paper commented Monday's arrest of Mohsen Abdul Hamid, the leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party, in Baghdad only strengthens the Iraqis' hatred towards the Americans and sinks the United States deeper in the Iraqi quagmire.
Hamid and his sons were detained for several hours and then released.
It insisted the Americans could not justify the arrest of Abdul Hamid and humiliating the head of the largest Arab Sunni party in the country at a time when the United States and the Iraqi government need to build bridges with Arab Sunnis.
It added that instead of encouraging what this moderate Islamic party represents, "the American forces strengthen the extremist camp through stupid behavior that consolidates the idea that there is no immunity for those who oppose American policy even if it was a civilized, political and peaceful opposition."
The paper urged Washington review all its measures in Iraq and to educate its troops to respect Iraqis as a first step towards winning Iraqi hearts.
