Three detained over parliament attack
Three cafeteria workers in Iraq's parliament have been detained over a suicide bombing in the building, a senior lawmaker said yesterday, as the US military revised Thursday's attack death toll down to one.
Baghdad: Three cafeteria workers in Iraq's parliament have been detained over a suicide bombing in the building, a senior lawmaker said yesterday, as the US military revised Thursday's attack death toll down to one.
A day after the attack, leaders from across Iraq's sectarian divide pleaded for unity at a special session of parliament, gathering under high security.
"Whether we are in or out of the government and the political process, we have to find a solution to national reconciliation," Shiite Vice-President Adel Abdul Mahdi told the unity session.
An Al Qaida-backed group, the self-styled Islamic State in Iraq, claimed responsibility in a web statement for the worst breach of security in Baghdad's most secure area - the Green Zone that also houses government offices and embassies.
The US military initially said eight people, including three MPs, were killed and more than 20 wounded when the bomber blew himself up among lawmakers having lunch in the cafeteria. But on Friday they revised the toll down to one killed and 22 wounded.
Hassan Al Senaid, an MP from the ruling Shi'ite Alliance bloc said the cafeteria workers were being held for questioning but had not yet been charged.
Some parliamentary guards were also being investigated, he said. The Interior Ministry said it would not give details of the investigation.
