Convicted Embassy Bomber Is Member of Iraq Parliament

LONDON — A convicted terrorist who organized bomb attacks on the American and French embassies in Kuwait has found safety in Iraq's Parliament, where he is a member of the ruling coalition.

An Iraqi Shiite viewed by America as a wanted man, Jamal Jafaar Mohammed, was sentenced to death for his part in the attacks, which claimed five lives in 1983.

He now enjoys legal immunity as a representative of Babil province in Iraq's elected Parliament. Mohammed is a member of the Dawa Islamic Party, which backs Prime Minister al-Maliki.

The Bush administration has reaffirmed its support for Mr. Maliki and will soon be sending 21,500 troops to fight alongside the prime minister's security forces.

In the 1980s, Mohammed joined the Badr Organization, a militia of Iraqi Shiites, which was created and armed by Iran. Its purpose was to retaliate against Iraq after Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980, starting an eight-year war. The Badr Organization carried out terrorist attacks inside Arab countries that were Iraq's allies, notably Kuwait which provided Saddam with loans to pay for the war against Iran.

Kuwait's courts found Mohammed guilty of playing a key role in the Kuwait attacks. On December 12, 1983, car bombs exploded at the American and French embassies in Kuwait City. Other bombs exploded at an airport control tower, an oil refinery, a power station, and a housing complex used by American oil workers.

American officials have alleged that Mohammed is still acting as an Iranian agent helping Iranian special forces inside Iraq with "weapons and political influence."

America wants Mr. Maliki to ensure that Parliament lifts Mohammed's immunity and hands him over. He could be extradited to Kuwait or America may seek to bring a separate case against him. So far no action has been taken.