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Bush hails Iraq militia crackdown Bush hails Iraq militia crackdown
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has praised Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki's "bold decision" in ordering Iraqi forces to crack down on Shia militias in the city of Basra.US President George W Bush has praised Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki's "bold decision" in ordering Iraqi forces to crack down on Shia militias in the city of Basra.
Heavy fighting continued in the city for a third day between militias and security forces, with violence in other parts of southern Iraq and Baghdad.Heavy fighting continued in the city for a third day between militias and security forces, with violence in other parts of southern Iraq and Baghdad.
The clashes have claimed more than 130 lives since Tuesday.The clashes have claimed more than 130 lives since Tuesday.
Mr Maliki vowed that he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as was necessary.Mr Maliki vowed that he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as was necessary.
'No retreat''No retreat'
"We have made up our minds to enter this battle and we will continue until the end. No retreat," Mr Maliki said in a speech broadcast on Iraqi state television."We have made up our minds to enter this battle and we will continue until the end. No retreat," Mr Maliki said in a speech broadcast on Iraqi state television.
BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the GulfRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7316898.stm">Battles threaten fragile Iraq class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7316614.stm">Clashes in pictures class="" href="/1/hi/business/7316138.stm">Oil soars above $107 class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7305023.stm">Invasion right, says Bush href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_enl_1206639039/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_enl_1206639039/html/1.stm', '1206639182', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=780,height=628,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Thousands in Baghdad demanded the Iraqi PM quit href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_enl_1206639039/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/middle_east_enl_1206639039/html/1.stm', '1206639182', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=780,height=628,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Image
The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police.The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police.
But Mehdi Army fighters loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr remain in control of some densely-populated areas.But Mehdi Army fighters loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr remain in control of some densely-populated areas.
Speaking at a US Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio, Mr Bush said "normalcy" was returning to Iraq.Speaking at a US Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio, Mr Bush said "normalcy" was returning to Iraq.
"As we speak Iraqis are waging a tough battle against militia fighters and criminals in Basra, many of whom have received arms and training and funding from Iran," he said."As we speak Iraqis are waging a tough battle against militia fighters and criminals in Basra, many of whom have received arms and training and funding from Iran," he said.
Mr Maliki's move against Basra's militias underlined "his leadership and his commitment to enforce the law in an even-handed manner", the US president added.Mr Maliki's move against Basra's militias underlined "his leadership and his commitment to enforce the law in an even-handed manner", the US president added.
Rising violence
Meanwhile, one of Iraq's two main oil export pipelines from Basra was blown up in a bomb attack, sending oil prices above $107 a barrel.Meanwhile, one of Iraq's two main oil export pipelines from Basra was blown up in a bomb attack, sending oil prices above $107 a barrel.
And Basra's police chief survived a bomb attack that killed three of his bodyguards.And Basra's police chief survived a bomb attack that killed three of his bodyguards.
BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the GulfRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport Battles threaten fragile IraqClashes in picturesOil soars above $107Invasion right, says Bush
With many shops and markets shut, residents in the city said they were beginning to run out of food and water.With many shops and markets shut, residents in the city said they were beginning to run out of food and water.
Rising violence
In Baghdad, thousands of Sadr supporters marched to demand Mr Maliki quit over the Basra operation.In Baghdad, thousands of Sadr supporters marched to demand Mr Maliki quit over the Basra operation.
There was sporadic fighting in Shia areas of the capital and the fortified Green Zone was again hit by rockets.There was sporadic fighting in Shia areas of the capital and the fortified Green Zone was again hit by rockets.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • The FBI said it had recovered the bodies of two US security contractors kidnapped in Iraq in 2006
  • A prominent Sunni civilian spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, Tahseen Sheikhly, was kidnapped by gunmen
  • Dozens died in clashes between the security forces and militias in the southern city of Kut
  • Clashes have also been reported in the towns of Hilla and Diwaniya, as well as the Shia holy city of Kerbala
  • The FBI said it had recovered the bodies of two US security contractors kidnapped in Iraq in 2006
  • A prominent Sunni civilian spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, Tahseen Sheikhly, was kidnapped by gunmen
  • Dozens died in clashes between the security forces and militias in the southern city of Kut
  • Clashes have also been reported in the towns of Hilla and Diwaniya, as well as the Shia holy city of Kerbala
The number of gunfights in southern Iraq appears to be growing, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.The number of gunfights in southern Iraq appears to be growing, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.
The fighting still seems to be mainly with members of the Mehdi Army, our correspondent says.The fighting still seems to be mainly with members of the Mehdi Army, our correspondent says.
Protesters in Baghdad labelled Mr Maliki a "dictator"
The militia had held to a ceasefire since last August, contributing to the general fall in violence across Iraq.The militia had held to a ceasefire since last August, contributing to the general fall in violence across Iraq.
The government says it aims to re-impose law and order in Basra, which the British military handed over to Iraqi forces in December.The government says it aims to re-impose law and order in Basra, which the British military handed over to Iraqi forces in December.
However, Moqtada Sadr's supporters say the government wants to weaken the militias before local elections in October.However, Moqtada Sadr's supporters say the government wants to weaken the militias before local elections in October.
At stake, analysts say, is control of Iraq's only port city and the region's oil fields.At stake, analysts say, is control of Iraq's only port city and the region's oil fields.