http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/460476,CST-NWS-iraq09.articleEvery man for himself
BAGHDAD | Politicians urge Iraqis to arm themselves for protection
July 9, 2007
BY ROBERT H. REID
BAGHDAD -- Prominent Shiite and Sunni Muslim politicians called on Iraqi civilians to take up arms to defend themselves after a weekend of violence that claimed more than 220 lives.
The calls reflect growing frustration with the inability of Iraqi security forces to prevent attacks. snip
In the absence of enough security forces, Shiite lawmaker Abbas al-Bayati said authorities should help residents ''arm themselves'' for their own protection.
The call for civilians to take up arms in their own defense was echoed Sunday by the country's Sunni Arab vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, who said all Iraqis must ''pay the price'' for terrorism.