IRAQ'S Defence Ministry says it has broken up an al-Qa'ida cell that was working to produce poison gas for attacks within the country as well as in Europe and North America.
The announcement came as it emerged that last month brought the worst violence in Iraq for years, stoking fears of escalating sectarian strife.
The group of five people had built two facilities in Baghdad to produce sarin and mustard gas, using instructions from another al-Qa'ida group, government spokesman Mohammed al-Askari said yesterday.
The members of the cell had been prepared to launch attacks domestically, and also had a network to smuggle the toxins to neighbouring countries, and further afield to Europe and North America, Mr Askari said.
The arrest of the cell members had been possible because of co-operation between Iraqi and foreign intelligence services, he added.
The UN said last month that sarin nerve gas might have been used by rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad in neighbouring Syria.
Last month's death toll in Iraq was more than 600, according to officials, and more than 1000, according to the UN. Either would make it the deadliest month since 2008.
The wave of violence comes about 18 months after the last US troops left Iraq, which is neither secure nor stable more than a decade after the US-led invasion of the country.
A count by the news agency Agence France Presse, based on information from security and medical sources, put last month's toll at 614 people killed and 1550 wounded, while data from government ministries showed 681 had died and 1097 were wounded.
The UN gave a significantly higher toll of 1045 killed and 2397 wounded.
Top political and religious figures came together over the weekend for a gathering that had been called for since late 2011, but continually delayed.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite, embraced parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, his main Sunni political rival, in a move symbolising an aim to reduce tensions in the country.
But no tangible measures were announced, and more meetings are to be held later.
"The situation in Iraq was very difficult, and on the edge of collapsing," Mr Nujaifi said, adding that the country was on the verge of civil war. "This meeting was very important, and we must stabilise the situation."
Long-running disputes between top politicians have paralysed Iraq's government, and been linked by analysts and officials to increases in violence.
UN envoy Martin Kobler has warned that "systemic violence is ready to explode at any moment" if they do not resolve their disagreements.
While violence mainly targeted the government and members of the Shia majority in the past, unrest last month was more wide-ranging. There were also major attacks on Sunnis, striking all aspects of daily life.
Bombings cut down worshippers in mosques, shoppers in markets and people mourning those killed. One Baghdad car bomb even tore through a group of people cheering a bride before her wedding.
Violence has fallen from its peak at the height of the sectarian conflict in 2006 and 2007, when the monthly death toll repeatedly topped 1000, but the death toll has begun to rise again.
Analysts and officials said dealing with political issues, including Sunni grievances and disputes over issues ranging from control of territory to power-sharing, was key to curbing the violence.
02 Jun, 2013
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