Iraq presses US to expel Blackwater

BAGHDAD (AP) — The Iraqi government has upheld the findings of an official investigation of the alleged shooting death of 17 Iraqis by employees of North Carolina-based Blackwater USA.

Officials say Iraq is pressing the U.S. Embassy to expel the Moyock-based private security company from Iraq. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

They say a Cabinet meeting yesterday also decided to set up a committee to look into the legal aspects of repealing a 2004 directive that placed private security companies outside Iraqi law.

The Iraqi investigation into the September 16th shooting in Baghdad says established that Blackwater personnel guarding a State Department convoy opened fire at Iraqis without provocation. Blackwater denies that.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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