(Washington Post) Doug Struck - The public mood in Baghdad appears to be moving more clearly against the insurgency in Iraq, political and security officials said. In the week since national elections, police officers and Iraqi National Guardsmen said they have received more tips from the public, resulting in more arrests. Iraqis cited a renewed nationalist pride since the elections that they said may be dampening anti-American sentiment, and may be starting to dispel Iraqi tolerance and support for the insurgents. Part of the mood change is credited to Abdul Amir, Iraq's newest national hero. On election day, Amir, 30, a policeman in Baghdad, noticed a man walking toward a polling station who appeared to be carrying something heavy under his coat. Amir wrapped his arms around the man, dragged him away from the crowd, and the man's belt of explosives blew both men to shreds. Newspapers have been filled with stories about Amir and a statue is being planned in his honor.
2005-02-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive