Sunni Leaders Condemn Slaying Of City Council Chairman

(RFE/RL) April 22, 2007 -- Sunni leaders from Iraq's western Al-Anbar Governorate "have strongly condemned" the killing of the chairman of Al-Fallujah city council.

Sami Abdul-Amir al-Jumaili, a critic of Al-Qaeda, was gunned down on April 21 outside his home -- becoming the fourth holder of the post to be assassinated over the past 14 months.

In a joint statement, Al-Anbar Governor Ma'mun Sami Rashid al-Alwani and the chairman of the governorate's Council, Abdulsalam Abdullah, said the assassination was a crime against all citizens of Iraq.

Hopes Dashed

Major General Walter Gaskin, commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq, said in a statement that al-Jumaili was committed to rebuild and restore hope and prosperity to Al-Fallujah.

Insurgents have targeted fellow Sunnis who are willing to cooperate with the United States and its Iraqi partners.

(AFP, AP)