(Coalition forces, Iraqi police continue security efforts) (510)

Two more members of Saddam Hussein's former regime are in coalition
custody, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

In a July 9 news release, CENTCOM stated that Mizban Khadr Al Hadi and
Mahmud Dhiyab Al-Ahmad were apprehended July 8. Al Hadi, a
high-ranking Ba'ath Party official, surrendered in Baghdad. Al-Ahmad,
the former interior minister, was captured. Both were on the
coalition's list of "Top 55" wanted members of the previous regime, at
numbers 23 and 29, respectively.

In a second release, CENTCOM detailed successful seizures of weapons
and explosives by coalition forces in Iraq, as well as ongoing
coalition-Iraqi Police peacekeeping efforts.

The texts of the two releases follow:

(begin text)

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

July 9, 2003

TWO "IRAQI TOP 55" IN COALITION CUSTODY: ONE SURRENDERS, ONE CAPTURED

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- One former Iraqi leader surrendered and another was
captured July 8 in two unrelated incidents. Both members are listed on
the U.S. Central Command "Iraqi Top 55."

Mizban Khadr Al Hadi, a high-ranking member of the Ba'ath Party
Regional Command and Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) and number 23
on the coalition's list of wanted government officials, turned himself
in to Coalition forces in Baghdad.

Mahmud Dhiyab Al-Ahmad, former Minister of Interior and number 29 on
the Top 55 list, was captured by Coalition forces and now is in
custody.

Coalition forces will continue to work at apprehending former members
of the Saddam Hussein regime.

(end text)

)begin text)

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

July 9, 2003

COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE
(July 9, 2003)

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Coalition forces foiled numerous potential attacks by
seizing weapons caches and explosive devices on July 8th.

The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment seized a weapons cache of 400 to 500
rocket-propelled grenades from a vehicle at a traffic control point
located between the cities of Ar Ramadi and Al Asad. Four Iraqi males
riding in the vehicle were detained.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force found a large cache of tank rounds
just north of Mahmudiayah. An engineer unit detonated three truckloads
of the rounds. The rest, which were still crated, were transported to
another location for disposition.

The 101st Airborne Division discovered and seized a cache of 12
antitank projectiles that were camouflaged with cut wheat, on a road
near Tal'afar.

Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country
over the last 24 hours, conducting 14 raids, 1,222 day patrols and 825
night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police,
conducting 190 day patrols and 187 night patrols. On their own, Iraqi
Police conducted 10 day and one night patrols. The total raids and
patrols resulted in 213 arrests for various criminal activities,
including three for murder, four for carjacking, nine for assault,
eight for burglary, and 60 for looting.

(end text)