September 20, 2007	Thursday	Ramazan 07, 1428

BAGHDAD, Sept 19: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday called on the US authorities to replace private security operator Blackwater after a deadly shootout involving the firm’s guards in Baghdad.

Maliki’s call came as US and Iraqi officials were locked in talks trying to defuse the crisis sparked when Blackwater guards escorting US embassy officials opened fire in a Baghdad neighbourhood, killing 10 people and wounding 13.

“This crime has generated a lot of hatred in the government and the people against Blackwater,” Maliki told reporters.

“For their own interests, the Americans should hire a new company to protect their people so they can move freely.”

The US embassy in Baghdad has barred its officials from travelling by land outside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone amid fears of attacks after Sunday’s shootout.

“This is a big crime and the seventh such crime committed by this company and which has been registered by the interior ministry,” Maliki said.

“This company should be punished. We are not going to allow it to kill Iraqis in cold blood. We have frozen all its activities and a joint panel has been formed to investigate the incident.” Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told AFP that Iraqi and US officials had set up a joint panel to discuss what some Iraqis are calling a massacre.

Maliki said the government will pursue the issue against Blackwater, adding that the relatives of the victims had not yet submitted any complaint against the company.

Blackwater said its contractors “acted lawfully and appropriately in response to a hostile attack.” —AFP