In other Iraq news, the Iraqi journalist Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed spoke out Wednesday hours after the US military released him following almost a year and a half behind bars. Jassam was seized when US and Iraqi forces raided his home in September 2008. He was held without charge despite an Iraqi court order for his release. Shortly after being reunited with his family, Jassam said he hopes to return to work as a journalist.

Ibrahim Jassam Mohammed: “My feelings cannot be described after the year and a half that I spent in the prison. I returned home again with my family and friends. Thank God. If God is willing, I will resume my job as a journalist with Reuters.”

In addition to holding Jassam without charge, the US military has never publicly explained why he was initially jailed.