Sarkozy condoles Iraq’s deadly attack

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday sent a cable of condolence to President Jalal Talabani on the death of scores of civilians and security elements in the attack on the Baghdad’s catholic church. The president voiced sympathy with victims’ families and with the security authorities, who lost their loved ones. A group of armed men broke through Our Lady of Salvation Church in Central Baghdad’s Karrada district last Sunday, taking dozens of Christian worshippers who were attending a mass captive and demanded the release of al-Qaeda detainees in Iraq and Egypt, according to a statement by the Baghdad Operations Command. The attack claimed 58 lives, including 5 of the attackers and 7 security men, whilst the other victims were Christian citizens. The number of wounded reached 75, including 15 Army and police men; the rest had been Christian civilians, according to the Baghdad Command. SH (P) 1