Anti-looting patrols bid to tackle street chaos

US-LED forces are providing security against looting in Iraqi cities and are working to prevent further lawlessness, US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday.

“We do feel an obligation to assist in providing security and the coalition forces are doing that. They’re patrolling in various cities where they see looting, they’re stopping it. And they will be doing so,” he said.

US officers in Baghdad said the patrols would be aimed at trying to restore a sense of normal life to a city battered by war, adding there was now little fear of major military battles.