Iraq pulls out of International Criminal Court

One can't help wondering who is all behind the decision of Iraq's interim government to pull out of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Excerpt from Agence France Presse report via RF Europe March 2:

Iraq's interim government has revoked its decision to adhere to the International Criminal Court, which it had announced just two weeks ago.

State television says that Iraq pulled back from the court today. It offered no explanation.

The ICC, based in The Hague, is the first permanent court mandated to try charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It began operating in July 2002.

Several members of the former regime of Saddam Hussein, including the ousted president himself, are due to face trial in Iraq for war crimes.

Note, almost 100 countries have ratified the Rome treaty recognising the ICC. Notable exceptions are China and the Bush administration, which oppose the court. US President Bill Clinton signed up to the court, but his successor, President George W Bush, revoked the signature.