Iraqi Premier Demands Probe Into Rape Claims

U.S. Marines in Iraq (AFP) July 5, 2006 -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today called for an independent inquiry into allegations that U.S. soldiers raped and murdered a teenager and killed three members of her family, one of whom was a five-year-old girl.

A U.S. court on July 3 charged one of the men, who is no longer in service, with rape and murder.

Up to four other U.S. soldiers still in uniform are under investigation in Iraq.

Al-Maliki also said the immunity given to coalition troops in Iraq should be "reviewed."

The United States' top soldier -- General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- on July 4 pledged that the Pentagon would carry out a thorough investigation into the allegations

(Reuters, AP)