Japan's Prime Minister Hails Zarqawi's Death, Vows Support For Iraqis

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi welcomed the death of Iraq's most wanted militant Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, calling it "a step forward toward improved security in postwar Iraq."Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi DEAD!
While vowing continued support for Iraqis, Koizumi told reporters that it is the success of cooperation by the Iraqi people in demolishing terrorist groups. The premier also hailed the nomination of candidates for defense and interior ministers, saying, "It shows Iraqi people are moving step by step toward their own nation-building." Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said that Al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born leader of Al-Qaida in Iraq, 39, has been killed in a US airstrike.Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi with President George W. BushTokyo has deployed some 600 ground troops in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, including logistical support officers, since January 2004 with the aim of providing clean water and medical supplies to local people and repairing infrastructure.