BAGHDAD, Aug 9: The mayor of Baghdad said on Tuesday he was ousted on Monday when 120 gunmen surrounded his office and installed the city’s governor in his place. Alaa al Tamimi, a secular official, said he was not at the office at the time, but the gunmen installed Baghdad Governor Hussein al Tahhan, a Shia hardliner, in his place.

“I am appointed by the state. I handed in my resignation three times because I knew there would be trouble. Acts like these set a very dangerous precedent for a country that wants to be free and democratic,” Mr Tamimi said.

The mayor, who is an engineer, said tension between him and the Shia-dominated Baghdad provincial council had been rising in the past few weeks, mirroring power struggles that have fractured the national government.

Mr Tamimi said the council had been keen to replace him ever since it was elected in January.

His account of events was challenged by Mr Tahhan, who denied he had entered the mayor’s offices by force.

“I was greeted at the door by the deputy mayor, Amir al Su’aidi. He led me in person to the office and I told my guards to stay outside,” he said.

“It’s absurd to think that I could force my way in. I only came with five Land Cruisers! The whole governorate only has 15, while he (Tamimi) has 100 personal guards.” He did not confirm whether he had replaced Mr Tamimi, but said the council had the authority to force him out.

“Baghdad provincial council can replace him because he was appointed by Baghdad’s council,” he said.

Before Mr Tamimi took office, US troops briefly arrested self-proclaimed mayor Mohammed Zubaidi for exercising authority they said he did not have. The US occupying power accused Mr Zubaidi of sending letters to individuals and organizations in Baghdad telling them not to go back to work unless he approved it.—Reuters