WASHINGTON - Sunni Arab mourners in western Iraq called for revenge against al-Qaida at the funeral of Sunni tribal council leader Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, who was killed in a roadside bomb blast near his home Thursday.

Scores of Iraqi police and U.S. military vehicles lined the route of the funeral procession from the slain Sunni leader’s his home in Ramadi to the burial grounds Friday.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the killing of Abu Risha, but family members blamed al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists.

U.S. officials credit Abu Risha and allied sheikhs for organizing against al-Qaida terrorists and improving security in western al-Anbar province.

In other news, Iraqi police say at least seven policemen were killed in a suicide truck bombing at a checkpoint in the northern town of Baji, Friday.

During his visit to Anbar last week, President Bush met with Abu Risha and highlighted the Sunni tribes’ role as a key success story in the war. Mr. Bush also hailed Abu Risha’s courage in his televised address Thursday.

The alliance of tribes formally turned against al-Qaida in Iraq last September.

Source:  VOA News