KARBALA, March 4: Police here charged on Thursday that Iraq's interior ministry failed to meet a request for more weapons and equipment in Karbala before Ashura that saw around 100 people killed in multiple bombings.

The deputy police chief and a senior judge in Karbala said the request had been made before the holiday, as all sides anticipated that attacks might be launched on the city as millions of pilgrims descended there.

"We asked for vehicles, weapons and furniture in writing from the interior ministry, and they gave us nothing," said police Colonel Kareem Sultan. Polish forces in Karbala said the police had made the request to interior ministry officials during a tour of the city by US overseer for Iraq, Paul Bremer, on Feb 16, but said they thought the police had received the equipment.

"There was a question about equipment before Ashura ... of weapons and communication equipment, and I believe they received it," said Polish Warrant Officer Zbigniew Dabkiewicz.

However, according to Sultan and investigative judge Ahmed Hillali, the interior ministry, which falls under the supervision of the US-led occupation authority, never answered the request.

At least five million people were in Karbala on Tuesday for Ashura when a string of suicide attacks shook the city. Dabkiewicz and Sultan both said the occupation forces and police had agreed the Iraqi security forces would manage affairs inside the city, alongside armed volunteers from Shia religious leaders and parties. -AFP