U.S. Troops Arrest Iraqi Health Minister's Guards

U.S. Marines in Iraq (file photo) (AFP) August 13, 2006 -- Iraq's health minister says U.S. forces arrested seven of his personal guards in a pre-dawn raid on his Baghdad office today.

The reason for the alleged arrests is unclear.

Health Minister Ali al-Shemari said the soldiers broke open doors inside the building leading to his office and hauled away the seven men, who were posted there as night guards.

Al-Shemari condemned the raid as "a flagrant attack against an institution, an elected institution."

U.S. officials did not immediately respond to the allegation.

Al-Shemari, a Shi'ite, said there was no legal warrant or any reason to arrest the men. He called the action a "provocation."

(AP)