The U.S. military yesterday attempted to strip Baghdad’s self-appointed mayor, Mohammed Mohsen Zubaidi, of his authority. Commander of ground forces in Iraq, Lieutenant General David McKiernan, proclaimed, “The coalition alone retains absolute authority within Iraq.” He warned that anyone challenging U.S. authority would be subject to arrest. U.S. forces delivered the edict to Zubaidi and told him to vacate his office at the Palestine Hotel and return any property seized by his men. But Zubaidi continued to act as if he is in charge of the city. He says he has set up 22 committees to administer various city functions and is holding neighborhood meetings. How the general will enforce his edict is unclear since the huge U.S. presence in Baghdad is concentrated largely at the international airport, miles from the populated area. The International Herald Tribune reports Iraqis on the streets, almost without exception, say neither Zubaidi or the head of the Iraqi National Congress, Ahmed Chalabi, is welcome as the new mayor.