US troops arrest Iraq governor

By Richard Galpin
BBC correspondent in Baghdad

United States forces in Iraq have removed the interim governor of the holy Shia city of Najaf and arrested him in connection with allegations of kidnapping and corruption.

Najaf is regarded as a holy city by Shia Muslims

Abu Haidar Abdul Munim had originally been appointed by the American military after the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime in April.

American troops detained him, along with about 60 of his aides - many of whom were armed.

Mr Abdul Munim was not a popular man in Najaf.

There had been demonstrations against him by the local Shia population who disliked him because of his previous position as a colonel in the Iraqi army.

The arrest was requested by an Iraqi judge in Najaf, in connection with a series of allegations including corruption, kidnapping and attacking a bank official.

Wrong man

It is not the first time the occupying forces have made a mistake in their appointment of top Iraqi officials.

The man earmarked to be health minister was unable to take up his post due to popular protests, again over his alleged corruption.

He was also a senior Baath party official under Saddam Hussein.

A spokesman for the US and British forces in Iraq admitted that mistakes would be made in the process of trying to establish a new government.

The deputy governor is to run Najaf until the local council selects a replacement.