Iraqi P.M. Okays U.S. Strike On "terrorists"

BAGHDAD, July 18 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi gave permission for the US-led military to attack a hideout for "terrorists" before US air strikes hit the flashpoint city of Fallujah, an official said on Sunday.
"Yesterday the multinational force asked Prime Minister Allawi for permission to make an accurate operation against some definite places... Places where terrorists hide out," said an official from the prime minister's office.
Asked if Al-Qaeda-linked terror chief Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi or members of his shadowy network were the prime target, the official said he did not know, adding that the aim of the strike was to hit "terrorists".
A US military spokesman said Iraq's defence ministry was due to issue a statement on the air strike, but the ministry said it had no comment to make for the time being.