The move was believed to have aimed at saving the Alrashid Bank from being robbed after mobs attacked and looted several Iraqi banks over the past few days.

The Marines used explosives in blowing up the main safe of the bank and dug out 60 bags, with each containing 1 million dollars, the witness said.

When some Iraqi citizens who witnessed the attack asked a Marine captain about the fate of the millions of dollars, the officer replied that they would be transferred to a safer place and be put under the observation of the executive committee of the city of Baghdad chaired by Mohsin Al Zobeidi, who was appointed by the US Marine on Tuesday.

About seven Iraqi banks have been robbed and attacked by mobs and gangs following the occupation of Baghdad by the US forces. A number of Iraqi ministries, universities, public libraries, as well as houses of high-ranking officials have also been robbed and looted over the past few days.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)