Commanders apologize for Koran shooting

BAGHDAD, May 17 (UPI) -- A U.S. commander personally apologized Saturday to Sunni tribesmen in Iraq for an incident in which U.S. soldiers used a copy of the Koran for target practice.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond of the 4th Infantry Division appeared at a police outpost in Radwaniyeh near Baghdad, facing hundreds of Sunnis, CNN reported.

"I am a man of honor, I am a man of character. You have my word, this will never happen again," he said. "In the most humble manner, I look into your eyes today and I say, please forgive me and my soldiers," said Hammond. "I've come to this land to protect you, to support you ... this soldier has lost the honor to serve the United States Army and the people of Iraq here in Baghdad."

Col. Ted Martin presented the group with a new Koran and said the sergeant involved in the incident had been dismissed from the regiment.

An Iraqi militiaman found the bullet-riddled Koran a week ago at a shooting range. The discovery threatened the U.S. alliance with the Awakening Councils, Sunni groups that have been helping fight al-Qaida in Iraq.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International