Iraqi PM promises to release 2,500 prisoners

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraq's prime minister promised to release 2,500 prisoners and to press ahead with a security plan aimed at ending sectarian violence as he sought to quell public anger over a series of brazen attacks. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed a desire by insurgents to cripple the political process for the spike in violence since he took office just over two weeks ago. They "have increased their bloody operations to derail and bring down the national unity government, but, God willing, they will lose," he told reporters.