5 leading Baathists arrested west Kut

WASSIT / IraqiNews.com:  Five leading Baathists were arrested today in two security operations to the north and east of Kut.A search is underway for others who fled in the province, security sources said here today. The source told IraqiNews.com that the arrest took place upon higher orders from the capital, Baghdad, without mentioning the reasons for such operation. Most Iraqi provinces have been witnessing daily arrests of former Baath Party members, following orders from the Iraqi Interior Ministry on charges of creating a state of instability in the country. Kut, the center of Wassit province, lies 180 km south east of the capital, Baghdad. RM (TP)/SR 157