Maliki Again Takes Aim at Blackwater

Security firm no longer ‘valid’ in Iraq in wake of incidents, PM says
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 3, 2007 1:05 PM CDT

Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki has stepped back into the Blackwater fray today, saying the influx of accusations against the security contractor “do not make it valid to stay in Iraq.” One day after Blackwater's CEO appeared before a Congressional committee, Maliki signaled he wouldn't sitting on his hands while the US investigates fatal incidents involving the firm, Reuters reports.

After the contractors killed 17 civilians Sept. 16, Maliki vowed to freeze Blackwater contracts and prosecute those involved; he then agreed to wait until official light was shed on the incident and on the conduct of US security details. At least four such investigations are currently under way; meanwhile, 1,000 Blackwater employees continue to guard US personnel in Iraq. (More Blackwater stories.)

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