Iraq To Investigate Alleged Civilian Killings By U.S. Troops

U.S. Marines in Iraq (file photo) (AFP) May 31, 2006 -- Iraq's prime minister says his government will investigate allegations that U.S. troops killed 24 Iraqi civilians in the town of Al-Hadithah last year.

Nuri al-Maliki told the Reuters news agency there was a limit to what he called acceptable excuses for civilian casualties.

The U.S. military is conducting an investigation into allegations that Marines shot the civilians in Al-Hadithah in November 2005. The military initially said they were killed by a roadside bomb.

On May 30, the White House said the United States will make public all details of the investigation once it is complete.

Spokesman Tony Snow said President George W. Bush only learned of the reports of the alleged incident after reporters began asking questions earlier this year.

(Reuters, AFP, AP)