Iraq's president stated Thursday a high-level commission will launch a probe into the legitimacy of a ban on candidates with suspected ties to Saddam Hussein's regime from running in the March 7 parliamentary election. According to the AP, Jalal Talabani conveyed a presidential panel will study whether the committee that issued the ban against 511 candidates has been given the full authority and support from parliament.
"I myself am not satisfied with the banning decision," said Talabani. "We have sent a letter to the Supreme Appeal Court asking whether this committee that issued the decision is legitimate or not."
Meanwhile, gunmen killed an Iraqi army colonel near his house in the north of the country. The victim's cousin, Nafaa Khudir, identified the officer Thursday as Col. Salih Ahmed al-Ukaydi of the Iraqi Army's 2nd division.
