Today's Date:

The situation is serious, we are directing all our energies to securing the release of our compatriots, who are despicably being held hostage in Iraq. We have already strengthened our ability to take initiatives in the region, and shall do so still further in the next few hours. I have spoken on the telephone to all the leaders of the political parties in the majority and opposition, and shall be convening a meeting with them tomorrow morning, we share the feeling that, faced with this ordeal, national unity is an imperative./.