LONDON, April 30: The Amnesty International (AI) on Friday called for an independent probe into the torture in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and said it was not an isolated incident.

"Our extensive research in Iraq suggests that this is not an isolated incident. It is not enough for the USA to react only once images have hit the television screens," said the London-based human rights watchdog.

There is a real crisis of leadership in Iraq - with double standards and double speak on human rights, said AI.

"The latest evidence of torture and ill-treatment emerging from Abu Ghraib prison will exacerbate an already fragile situation. The prison was notorious u nder Saddam Hussein - it should not be allowed to become so again," said the AI.

It said the US-led authority "must send a clear signal that torture will not be tolerated under any circumstances and that the Iraqi people can now live free of such brutal and degrading practices". -AP