Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 June 2004. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Monday, 7 June 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq.

Answer: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq. [172296] Mr. Mullin: The security situation is stable in much of Iraq; however, in parts of the south, supporters of Muqtada al Sadr have continued to clash with the Multinational Force. His illegal militia have been intimidating the local population of several cities, illegally occupying public buildings and attacking Iraqi civilians. Multinational Forces have sought to avoid a military escalation both in the south and in Fallujah, and we are hoping that current efforts by Iraqis to reach peaceful solutions will be successful. We have also seen continued desperate terrorist attacks on leading members of the Iraqi Governing Council in an attempt to derail the political process. As the transitional period approaches we can expect more attacks by those who oppose a stable democratic Iraq. We continue to assist in building the capability of the Iraqi security forces to enable Iraqis to take full responsibility for law and order as early as possible.

Secondary information