Crowd Keeps Marines at Bridge in 4-Hour Siege
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From Times Wire Reports
Dozens of protesters blocked Marines trying to cross the main Tigris River bridge in the southern Iraqi city of Al Kut -- a four-hour standoff sparked by the detentions of two Iraqis.
A rock-throwing crowd protesting the American presence also shattered the windshields of three Marine vehicles. Marines fired several warning shots. When Marines entered Al Kut, they found that local Shiite Said Abbas had claimed control. U.S. forces say he has links to Iranian groups pushing for Islamic rule but will not eject him.
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