Maliki Promises to Restore Security in Basra

Prime minister Nuri al-Maliki visited Basra and said the security issue was the biggest challenge the government faced. He said it was the government's task to stabilize it and pledged to use an "iron fist" against gangs that endanger Basra's security. He called on security offices to set a plan to eliminate the gangs and to restore security in Basra. Maliki announced a month-long state of emergency in Basra to confront the violence there. He maintained that Basra, the main port for Iraqi exports, should not be left to gangs and criminals and said he would use force if peaceful tactics did not stop the gangs.