Iraqi authorities say security forces have arrested at least 35 interior ministry officials accused of working to restore Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party.
Officials said Thursday, that the suspected members of the Al Awda party have been detained for questioning.
Al Awda, or the Return, is a descendent of the Baath party, which ruled Iraq under Saddam Hussein and was been outlawed after the U.S.-led invasion.
The New York Times newspaper says the Al Awda members were plotting to overthrow the government. But news reports also stress that the atmosphere in Iraq is very tense ahead of upcoming provincial elections, so that rumors about coups and conspiracies may be false.
The Times says more arrests might be made soon.
The Times also quotes a police officer who knows many of the detainees, who said they are all innocent and were arrested for politically-motivated reasons.
Separately, Wednesday British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that British troops will complete their mission in Iraq by May 31, 2009 - and will leave the country by the end of July.
Mr. Brown and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki made a joint statement in Baghdad Wednesday after a previously unannounced meeting between the two leaders. Britain now has about 4,100 troops in Iraq.
By VOA News
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