Iraq delays amnesty as oil prices soar over pipeline strike

BAGHDAD has delayed an amnesty for Iraqis who have supported insurgent attacks which a US daily said Saddam Hussein’s relatives are bankrolling, Also a pipeline breach caused oil prices to soar.

Explaining the delay, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi told reporters he wanted to ensure “human and citizen rights guarantees”.

Last week Mr Allawi, seen as tough on security, said an amnesty would be declared for anyone who acted against the US-led occupation but did not commit a crime, such as those who harboured weapons without using them or kept quiet about insurgents’ actions.