Over 30 Iraq Interior Ministry officials detained

It looks like the Iraqis can take care of themselves now. Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A number of officers from Iraq's Interior Ministry have been arrested on charges of trying to rebuild former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's Baath party, a ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that an elite counterterrorism force, reporting directly to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, arrested up to 35 officials, some of whom were accused of plotting a coup against the government.

Major-General Abdul Karim Khalaf said the officers were arrested under suspicion of being part of the Awda ("Return") party, which is seen as a new incarnation of the once omnipotent Baath party.

"They are now being interrogated under the supervision of the Iraqi judiciary," Khalaf told Reuters.

Khalaf said far fewer than 35 people had been arrested but that those who were detained ranked between lieutenant and brigadier general. He said no special forces were involved.