Iraq to sue US for Haditha atrocity

Ali al-Moussawi said: "The Haditha incident was a big crime against innocent civilians - we will follow up all legal procedures and judiciary measures" to seek justice in the case.

Mr Moussawi did not offer specifics and the Iraqi Justice Ministry declined to comment.

He was speaking after it emerged that the only US soldier convicted in the case reached a deal to escape jail time, despite a military judge's recommendation on Tuesday that he spend three months in the brig.

Military judge Lieutenant Colonel David Jones said his hands were tied by a plea agreement that prevents any jail time for Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich - who was convicted of a single count of negligent dereliction of duty.

He faces having his rank reduced.

But residents of Haditha have expressed outrage.

"That soldier would be sent to prison for more than three months if he had thrown rubbish on the streets in America," said Khalid Salman, whose cousin was killed by US soldiers in the massacre.

Sgt Wuterich's lawyer Neal Puckett said: "Our client's military justice case has concluded. So far as we are concerned the matter is closed."

A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car near a funeral procession in southeastern Baghdad today killing at least 28 people.

foreigneditor@peoples-press.com