CELL PHONE DEMAND SKY HIGH IN BAGHDAD

(C)onsumers overwhelmed the supply of phones here over the weekend.

"They are gone in about five minutes," said Rifaat Waheb, 42, manager of one of 310 independent outlets distributing Iraqna phones in Baghdad...

At another shop, cell phone salesman Ismail Mohammed, 24, estimated that 75% of buyers are seeking Iraq's latest status symbol. Distributors were ready with accessories: They could choose Samsung camera-phones for $550 (though most buyers went with the no-frills $109 Nokia). Or they could buy cell phone covers depicting British soccer sensation David Beckham or Tweety Bird.