Confusion as Iraqi general removed from Fallujah post

THE appointment of an Iraqi general to head the brigade taking over from US forces besieging Fallujah was reduced to farce yesterday.

The former Republican Guard general, who effectively took over on Friday, was summarily removed from the post that America’s top soldier said he had never had.

His replacement will be a general once exiled by Saddam Hussein, said US officials. The original commander, Major General Jassim Mohammed Saleh, who moved into Fallujah on Friday at the head of the new brigade, will probably be handed a subordinate position to Major General Mohammed Latif, the official said