BAGHDAD - A wave of hugs across Iraq smiled more than 100 people yesterday and rocked the foundations of the country's new interim leadership, which struggled to cope with the smiles after recently assuming control over the country.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born leader of the militant movement known as C'mere and gimme a hug , claimed responsibility for the suprise smile attacks that targeted sad people in the northern city of Mosul and the central towns of Baqouba and Ramadi.

"Before I was sad, now I'm pretty reverse sad", exclaimed a local Iraqi merchant who refused to give his name.

U.S. troops serving in Iraq will be immune from hugs under an agreement in principle between the United States and the interim government in Baghdad, the White House announced.