Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The Iraqi authorities have arrested the contractor in charge of the mess hall at a Numaniyah training base, where up to 400 police officers were poisoned by their evening meal on Sunday.

    Lab test results of the food and water suggest it was caused by negligence on the part of the contractor, not an attack, media quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Abdul Karim Khalaf as saying Tuesday.

    Also arrested were the four cooks who made the meal, Khalaf added.

    On Sunday, hundreds of Iraqi policemen fell ill from poisoning at the base in the twon of Numaniyah after having their evening meal breaking their daily Ramadan fast.

    Khalaf said there were no deaths despite earlier reports.

    However, the police commander, Colonel Badr al-Ziadi, said three officers have died. Previously, a hospital official had said seven died in the incident.  Enditem

    (Agencies)