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BAGHDAD, Iraq, Sept. 26 - The American military said Sunday that it had arrested a senior commander of the nascent Iraqi National Guard, raising concerns about the loyalty and reliability of the new security forces just months before general elections are scheduled to be held across the embattled country. The Iraqi commander, Brig. Gen. Talib Abid Ghayib al-Lahibi, based in restive Diyala Province, was arrested Thursday for "having associations with known insurgents," the military said in a written statement. Under Saddam Hussein's rule, General Lahibi served as lieutenant general of an infantry unit in the Iraqi Army, taught at the...

U.S. Troops Arrest Senior Iraqi Commander 17 minutes ago By FISNIK ABRASHI, Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq - American troops have arrested a senior commander of the U.S.-trained Iraqi National Guard for alleged ties to insurgents, underscoring the obstacles toward building a strong Iraqi security force capable of taking over from U.S. troops and restoring stability to the country. · U.S. Troops Arrest Senior Iraqi Commander AP - 17 minutes ago · Lt. Gen. Talib al-Lahibi, who previously served as an infantry officer in Saddam Hussein's army, was detained Thursday in the province of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad, said Lt....

Iraqi National Guard Commander Arrested American troops have arrested a senior commander of the U.S.-trained Iraqi National Guard for alleged ties to insurgents, underscoring the obstacles toward building a strong Iraqi security force capable of taking over from U.S. troops and restoring stab Lt Gen Talib al-Lahibi, who previously served as an infantry officer in Saddam Hussein’s army, was detained on Thursday in the province of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad, said Lt Col Steven Boylan, a spokesman for coalition forces in Iraq. Boylan said today that authorities were trying to clear up confusion over what exact position al-Lahibi held within...

U.S. Arrests Commander of Iraqi Nat'l Guard Sunday, September 26, 2004 BAGHDAD, Iraq — American troops have arrested a senior commander of the U.S.-trained Iraqi National Guard (search) for alleged ties to insurgents, underscoring the obstacles toward building a strong Iraqi security force capable of taking over from U.S. troops and restoring stability to the country. Lt. Gen. Talib al-Lahibi (search), who previously served as an infantry officer in Saddam Hussein's army, was detained Thursday in the province of Diyala, northeast of Baghdad, said Lt. Col. Steven Boylan, a spokesman for coalition forces in Iraq. Boylan said Sunday that authorities...

BAQUBA, Iraq, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The U.S military said on Sunday it arrested the head of the Iraqi National Guard in the city of Baquba, only a week after appointing him, on suspicion of collaborating with insurgents. Lieutenant General Talib al-Lahibi headed the Iraqi National Guard in the violent Diyala province and commanded three battalions before being arrested on Thursday. "Lahibi was detained by Multi-National Forces Sept 23 for having associations with known insurgents," the U.S. military said in a statement. "Talib is currently in Multi-National Forces control." Lahibi had been appointed to his new post only a...