"An apology for the actions of some troops who, of course, are not representative of the majority of the armed forces here, I think that would have been useful and it would have helped to some extent."

"Until and unless we could disband these militias, this country won't be able to function properly."

"It won't be a question of how well-trained or well-equipped the army is but one of the authority it serves."

"I think people are rapidly losing confidence in the political class, and I don't blame them."

"I think the Shiites want a theocracy."

"If the security forces continue to be dominated as they are now by political groups or sects, then the people won't trust in them - and the result will be civil war or fragmentation of the country."