Iraq Sunni figure arrested by U.S.

U.S. forces arrested the press official of the Committee of Muslim Ulemas, Iraq’s highest Sunni religious authority, after participating in a televised debate.

The committee’s spokesman Mohamed Bashar al-Faidi said Monday that Muthanna al-Dari was seized on his way back home after taking part in a political debate broadcast live on Lebanese satellite television LBC on the upcoming Iraqi National Congress.

Al-Faidi said al-Dari’s car was intercepted by four U.S. military vehicles after midnight and taken to an unknown destination.

Muthanna al-Dari is the son of Hareth al-Dari, the secretary-general of the Committee of Muslim Ulemas. Ulemas are Muslim theologians and authorities on religious law.

The committee announced that it will be boycotting the Iraqi National Congress which is set to convene in mid-August to protest against non-balanced representation of the Iraqi people in the parley.

Al-Faidi said Muthanna might have been arrested because of his harsh criticism of the controversial congress.(UPI)

http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040802-112045-5816r.htm