Iraqis Riot in Basra Over Power, Gasoline Shortages

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - British troops in riot gear deployed in Basra Saturday to quell spreading disturbances sparked by shortages of gasoline and power in Iraq (news - web sites)'s second city, a British military spokesman said.

Witnesses said angry Iraqis threw stones, attacked cars registered in nearby Kuwait and burned tires. Several streets and main roads leading into the city were cut as black smoke rose from the fires.

British forces fired into the air to keep back a crowd at one gasoline station, they said.

The army spokesman said violence broke out outside at least four gasoline stations but he could not confirm that soldiers opened fire.

"We are taking measures to control the crowd," he told Reuters. "We are doing our best to bring about a normalization of the situation."

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