Friday, April 23, 2010

FP morning post 4/23


Baghdad bombings target Sadr compound

Top news: A string of bombings across Iraq -- mostly target Shiite worshippers -- has killed over 40 people. The worst of these attacks was a triple bombing targeting the office compound of Shiite cleric Moqtada al Sadr. At least 25 people were killed as they left Friday prayers at a Mosque on the compound.

Bombs also went off outside three other Shiite mosques in Baghdad, all timed for the end of Friday prayers. Another attack -- a series of bombs near the homes of policemen in the western town of Khalidiya -- appeared to target Sunnis.

Iraq's worst day of sectarian violence in weeks comes days after the announcement of the killing of two senior al Qaeda leaders. Al-Sadr has also emerged as an influential player in the struggle for power following Iraq's close and disputed parliamentary election.

Greek crisis: Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou asked for the activation of an EU-IMF rescue package intended to pull his country out of debt. European stock markets rallied with the news.

 
Middle East
  • Iran says that it will allow U.N. nuclear inspectors more access to uranium enrichment sites.
  • Iraqi officials say they have arrested the mastermind behind a series of bombings in Baghdad in 2009.
  • U.S. envoy George Mitchell has arrived in the Middle East for his first visit since plans for indirect peace talks were abandoned.
Asia
Europe
Africa
Americas
 
-By Joshua Keating
http://link.email.foreignpolicy.com/r/NSS9Q7R/GEVE/SG9Q/WICI/QFNBP/PJ/h

ALI AL-SAADI/AFP/Getty Images

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