Day after bombings,Iraqi PM appeals for support,patience

“I call on the Iraqi people for more patience and steadfastness,” Maliki said in a televised address.

The deadly bombings raised tough questions for Maliki about the abilities of Iraq’s security forces ahead of next year’s withdrawal of US combat troops. The US military has warned of a possible rise in violence ahead of the March 7 parliamentary elections.

Parliament Speaker called on the ministers of Defence and Interior as well as the commander of Baghdad military operations to appear before the special session,said Omar al-Mashhadani,his spokesman.

Top security officials have been called twice before — and failed to show up — to answer questions in Parliament about security lapses,after suicide bombers in August and October killed hundreds.

This time,Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani agreed to attend the session under one condition — that it not be held behind closed doors — according to a statement released by his office.

Maliki also was expected to attend the session,Mashhadani said.

There have been growing calls for resignations of top security advisers following recent attacks. Maliki has been running for re-election on a platform of improved security,and any perceived security failures could cost him and his political party at the polls.

The US military has said it will keep the bulk of its 120,000 troops in place in Iraq until after the election.

Abbas al-Bayati,head of Parliament’s Defence Committee,said Iraq must have an emergency plan to deal with any violence ahead of the elections. “The Iraqi people need convincing answers from the security commanders,” Bayati told state run television. “If the security falls apart,then everything will collapse.”

Rescue operations were halted Wednesday around the Labour and Finance ministries as well as the court complex after crew finished looking through debris,said police Col Safaa Saadi Jawad,the deputy head of the Interior Ministry’s rescue operations.

Funerals were under way for bombing victims. Some families carried black flag-draped coffins through the streets,while others waited at the morgue to claim bodies authorities were still working to identify.