Iran-backed militiamen have withdrawn from the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad following clashes with American security forces, which the U.S. blames on Tehran.
Ranks of militiamen converged on the embassy compound. They chanted anti-American slogans, flung stones, and then columns of black smoke began rising above the scene.
Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet said he was issuing a warning to militiamen and looters that in his words, the party was over. Paul Wood reports from Bangui.
The area where a mythical and mosque place in Diyala province has seen clashes recently between Sunni rebels and Shia militiamen fighting alongside the Iraqi government forces.