14 seconds ago 2010-02-09T20:58:05-08:00
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday hailed Iraqis' "courage" after a set of deadly car bombings, saying extremists were trying to upend progress toward democracy.
Clinton linked the violence to Iraq's election due on March 7 which is seen as a crucial step in consolidating democracy ahead of a US military exit next year.
"When people believe in the political system and that they can chart their own future, then that poses a direct rebuke to those who try to govern by fear, intimidation and violence," Clinton told reporters.
"We unfortunately believe that that there will be continued efforts by the terrorists -- by Al-Qaeda in Iraq, in particular -- to try to upend the commitment of the Iraqi people toward a democratic future," she said.
"The Iraqis themselves by their actions are demonstrating a great deal of courage," she said at a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
At least 36 people were killed and 71 wounded in three apparently coordinated car bombings against hotels in Baghdad.
