Iraq’s former deputy health minister and a former senior ministry official will soon face trial, the Iraqi government said on Saturday, after accusations they helped Shi’ite militiamen fuel sectarian bloodshed.

The bodies of at least 30 people, including women and children, have been found in a mainly Sunni Arab area of Baghdad, police and government officials said on Saturday.

Afghan security forces need more foreign training and arms to fight the Taliban but when the forces are up to strength the insurgents will not pose a long-term threat to stability, the defense minister said on Saturday.