Iraqis meet to launch new era

ABOUT 250 leading Iraqis from across the political and ethnic spectrum held a US-sponsored meeting yesterday to launch a new democratic era after the end of Saddam Hussein’s rule.

Behind a ring of American tanks, US reconstruction chief Jay Garner opened the Baghdad meeting by telling participants they bore a heavy responsibility to transform their war-ravaged country.

"Today on the birthday of Saddam Hussein let us start the democratic process for the children of Iraq," Mr Garner said. "It is very humbling for me to be here before you because the blood in your veins ... gave force to civilisation."