Iraqis try to avert civil war
Religious and political leaders in Iraq are scrambling to forestall further sectarian bloodshed in the aftermath of a provocative series of car bombings against Shiite targets that threatens all-out civil war. Half a dozen blasts killed more than 50 people in the Shiite slum of Sadr City on Sunday, raising the one-day death toll around Baghdad to at least 80. Gunmen of the Shiite Mahdi Army militia deployed in some areas as Iraqis braced for a resumption of sectarian killing. Full Story