Baghdad never to kowtow to afflictions – PM

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Saturday that Baghdad will always stand tall against all forms of suffering, noting despite all the afflictions that befell it, Baghdad has returned to its people. “We can be proud that the sons of Baghdad have been able to regain their strength by fighting with one hand and building with the other despite all the sabotage caused by the elements of evil inside and outside Iraq,” Maliki said in a speech he delivered on Saturday marking the Baghdad Day anniversary. The ceremonies, held at Baghdad’s al-Zawraa Park, were attended by Deputy Premiers Burham Saleh and Rafie al-Issawi, Baghdad Governor Hussein al-Tahan and a number of local officials. “The ignorant tried to wreak havoc on Baghdad and isolate it from its leading cultural role. Iraq in general has slid into an unknown destiny. However, today we can say that Baghdad has returned to its people thanks to the concatenation of good efforts,” said Maliki. AmR (P) 1