Sacked policemen storm government office in Iraq

SAMAWA, Iraq, July 10 (Reuters) Some 200 sacked policemen from a province where Iraqi forces will take over security from British troops this month stormed the governor's office today, beating people with hoses and stabbing them with knives.

The policemen, who were fired by Iraq's new interior minister for forgery and bribery, were demanding they be reinstated in their jobs in the southern city of Samawa, the capital of Muthanna province.

Muthanna is the first province outside peaceful northern Kurdistan that will be handed over from U.S.-led forces to Iraqis since the invasion in 2003, a move Washington, London and Baghdad have hailed as sign of progress of Iraq's forces.

Handing over security responsibilities to Iraq's fledgling military and police is a key part of American and British plans to withdraw their roughly 135,000 troops in Iraq.

The policemen, who have staged several protests since they were sacked last month, also beat employees with metal pipes and broke windows.

Southern Iraq has been relatively free of the violence plaguing the country, but the region has seen increased bombing attacks on British troops and civilians.

Shi'ite militias loyal to anti-occupation cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are strong in Samawa and residents have complained of collusion between police and the militias, which have been blamed for sectarian killings and enforcing strict moral codes.

British officials have said British forces, who have about 7,000 troops in southern Iraq, will still monitor security, although Iraqis will have overall responsibility.

Last week, Japan began withdrawing its first soldiers from the 550-troop contingent who have been engaged in reconstruction and humanitarian work in Samawa. Australia also has a small force in Samawa.

Reuters SY DB2158