Sheiks Strive to Unite Communities

Provincial governor Hamood Shekti al Qaisi takes questions from media via satellite at the Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Aug. 23, 2007.

Members of the Salah Ad Din Sheik’s support council held a press conference via satellite at the Combined Press Information Center, Aug. 23.

"It is a long battle against the terrorists. . . We cannot define or decide how long this battle will take. But we think that we are going in the right direction. We believe in our capabilities and we also depend on God. We ask God to provide security for all the Iraqis and progress for Iraq." Hamood Shekti al Qaisi Governor of the Salad Ad Din province.

Hamood Shekti al Qaisi, governor of the Salad Ad Din province, and three sheiks explained the council’s focus on neighborhood security, its cooperation with the Iraqi government and Iraqi forces, and its long term focus of eliminating terrorist activity in their region.

Qaisi said the council is striving to unite the community and bring stability to Iraq. There are approximately 150 sheiks currently involved in the council. Qaisi brought three with him for support.

“All three sheiks here and the leaders of the support council along with all the other members of this support council are working very closely with the local government,” Qaisi said. “And they're working very close to stabilize the security along with accomplishing the national reconciliation with central government.”