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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Iraq Officials Busted in Coup Plot

Generals, old regime members arrested in Ministry of Interior sweep

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(Newser) – Iraq has arrested up to 35 Ministry of the Interior officials over the last three days for their part in a plot to revive Saddam Hussein's Baath party, the New York Times reports. Some being held were in the early stages of planning a coup, say officials. Four generals were among those arrested by an elite counter-terrorism force.

Iraq has been gripped by many rumors of coups ahead of next month's elections. But security officials say there is strong evidence tying those arrested to al-Awda—"The Return"—a descendant of the Baath party, which was outlawed after the American invasion. Al-Awda members paid bribes to be recruited into the ministry, and more arrests may follow, according to authorities.

Iraqi police march in formation at their gradation ceremony at the police academy in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, last month.
Iraqi police march in formation at their gradation ceremony at the police academy in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, last month.   (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)
An Iraqi soldier mans his post.
An Iraqi soldier mans his post.   (AP Photo)
Iraqi soldiers are seen behind the bullet-ridden door of an army vehicle damaged in previous fighting at an Iraqi army base in northeastern Mosul last month.
Iraqi soldiers are seen behind the bullet-ridden door of an army vehicle damaged in previous fighting at an Iraqi army base in northeastern Mosul last month.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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