BAGHDAD’S GREEN ZONE ATTACKED – TONY BLAIR SAFE

On British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s farewell visit to Baghdad, he was greeted with three mortal rockets that were slammed into the green zone, the most heavily fortified area, where he was to meet the Iraqi leaders. A projectile also exploded outside the green zone area. One person was injured as per the U.S. Embassy spokesman Lou Fintor. At the time of this attack, Tony Blair was in conference with Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and President Jalal Talabani after a private talk with them.

In reference to the conference with the leaders, Blair reiterated that Britain would always support them and asked for a quick reconciliation between the tribal leaders and others associated with the violence to improve the situation altogether. He also asserted on much greater involvement of the Sunnis in the political process. "Blair did not win an agreement from the Iraqi leaders to hold new provincial elections, the spokesman said. We can't speak for them, but we are confident they are moving in the right direction on elections", said the spokesman. He also mentioned about the perpetuated optimistic approach of coalition officials in regards to some tribal leaders in Anbar province throwing out the Al-Qaida’s rebels in their community.

"Britain does not favor talks with foreign terrorists", he said, "but would support moves to bring those whose violence was motivated by concerns about whether their community will have a place in the new Iraq into the political sphere".