Allawi visits troops

2004-11-08 18:47

Near Fallujah - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi paid a surprise visit to his troops outside Fallujah on Monday, shortly before US and Iraqi forces began a massive bombardment of the city.

While at Camp Fallujah, a US base outside the Sunni Muslim bastion, Allawi was asked when the curfew would start.

"In half an hour at six (15:00 GMT)," he said, looking at his watch.

"And after that the operations against the terrorist elements will start at any time."

Subsequently, US forces began intense shelling across Fallujah.

- AFP