The UN estimates that more than 700 people were killed in the recent US and British-backed attacks on the Mahdi army in Iraq - a central motive for which was to stop them taking part in elections.

• 联合国估计在美英联军在对伊拉克马哈迪武装的袭击中已造成超过700人死亡-袭击的理由是阻止其参加选举。