Nine killed on first day of Iraq government, Turkish hostages freed

[54anickel]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/92795/1/.html

BAGHDAD : Three US soldiers and six Iraqis were killed in violence on the first day of business for Iraq's new government after it formally regained sovereignty from the US-led coalition.

As Ankara hailed the release of three Turks kidnapped in Iraq and threatened with decapitation, US President George W. Bush said NATO's agreement to train the new Iraqi army was "a crucial success for the Iraqi people".

The three Turks kidnapped weeks ago were released, said a Turkish official and a statement from their kidnappers carried by Al-Jazeera television, hours before an ultimatum to kill them was due to expire.

The hostages were held by the armed Tawhid wal Jihad (Unity and Holy War) group, led by the Jordanian Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi, said to be linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network.

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[hlthe2b]

1. Good for the Turks....

I hope the American GI and Pakistani are as lucky...