Iraqis Rally to Protest US for Neglecting Chaos in Baghdad

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, April 13, 2003

Iraqis Rally to Protest US for Neglecting Chaos in Baghdad

Angered by the continued rampant looting and chaos, about 100 Iraqi protesters rallied here Saturday against the US forces for failing to protect them after toppling the government of Saddam Hussein.

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Angered by the continued rampant looting and chaos, about 100 Iraqi protesters rallied here Saturday against the US forces for failing to protect them after toppling the government of Saddam Hussein.

Holding a banner reading "We want a new government as soon as possible to ensure security and peace," the protesters gathered before the Palestine Hotel which houses most foreign journalists.

The protesters at one point tried to approach US soldiers stationed outside the hotel to express their indignation, but they were turned back.

This was the first anti-US demonstration held in the war-torn city since US troops took control of it on Wednesday.

Looting and violence have plagued the city of 5 million people in the past three days, as government buildings, hospitals, shops and foreign compounds were mostly plundered right under before the watchful eyes of US forces.

On Saturday, the Iraq National Museum was also broken into by looters who took away many of the priceless artifacts dating back over 5,000 B.C.

International aid officials said the widespread looting and violence had delayed the badly needed humanitarian aid to the city.

Under the increased pressure from the Iraqis and international community, US Marines have begun to take measures to restore law and order in Baghdad.

US troops said they planned to impose a night curfew in certain neighborhoods in Baghdad and step up patrols in some troubled streets.

Meanwhile, some former Iraqi policemen asked to return to their job to check the rampant lawlessness. Some of them visited US officers at the Palestine hotel to volunteer their services.

It remained unknown if the US would hire former Iraqi policemen to restore the law and order in Baghdad since they were so closely linked to the Saddam regime.

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