Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Arab countries fear being cut out by U.S.-Iran talks
Politics, Security, Region
(AP) -- Arab officials and commentators said Tuesday they feared the budding dialogue between Washington and Iran could cut them out of the debate over the future of Iraq, one of the region's most important countries. Many of Iraq's Sunni Muslim-dominated neighbors worry that the U.S.-Iran dialogue could boost Iran's already enormous influence over the Iraqi government and security forces.
Iraq and Iran are both majority Shiite nations. But unlike Iran, which is Persian, most of Iraq's 27 million people are Arabs. "Iraq should not be stripped out of its Arab identity, especially as Iraq is one of the outstanding members and founder of the Arab League," Ahmed ben Heli, the Arab League's undersecretary general told reporters in Cairo on Tuesday.
Iraq and Iran are both majority Shiite nations. But unlike Iran, which is Persian, most of Iraq's 27 million people are Arabs. "Iraq should not be stripped out of its Arab identity, especially as Iraq is one of the outstanding members and founder of the Arab League," Ahmed ben Heli, the Arab League's undersecretary general told reporters in Cairo on Tuesday.
He cautioned that the United States and Iran are "not the only sides ... concerned with the situation in Iraq." "Developments in Iraq should not be conducted away from the Arabs' interests. As neighboring countries, we have interests because Iraq is part of the Arab League," he said. Gulf states fear being dominated by a resurgent Iran that, many believe, could be armed with nuclear weapons in a few years.
Abdulaziz Sager, the director of Dubai-based Gulf Research Center said there were concerns because Monday's talks skirted the issue of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denies U.S. accusations that it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, saying its program is peaceful.
They also fear being sandwiched in a possible U.S.-Iran war in which they would likely become Iranian targets. The U.S. keeps 40,000 troops on bases in Gulf states and another 20,000 in Mideast waters. Ahmadinejad said this month that his country would retaliate against any U.S. attack. He called on Gulf states to evict the American military from the region and instead join a regional alliance with Iran.
The Gulf leaders gave a cold shoulder to Ahmadinejad's courtship, preferring America's security to domination by Iran. For that reason, Arab leaders want Washington to succeed in Iraq, Sager said. They worry that if the Americans leave Iraq too soon, it will fall into Iran's hands. "The Iranians are forging ahead with their plans for the whole area. Their ambitions are endless," said Fouad al-Hashem, a columnist with Kuwait's Al-Watan newspaper.
Abdulaziz Sager, the director of Dubai-based Gulf Research Center said there were concerns because Monday's talks skirted the issue of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denies U.S. accusations that it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, saying its program is peaceful.
They also fear being sandwiched in a possible U.S.-Iran war in which they would likely become Iranian targets. The U.S. keeps 40,000 troops on bases in Gulf states and another 20,000 in Mideast waters. Ahmadinejad said this month that his country would retaliate against any U.S. attack. He called on Gulf states to evict the American military from the region and instead join a regional alliance with Iran.
The Gulf leaders gave a cold shoulder to Ahmadinejad's courtship, preferring America's security to domination by Iran. For that reason, Arab leaders want Washington to succeed in Iraq, Sager said. They worry that if the Americans leave Iraq too soon, it will fall into Iran's hands. "The Iranians are forging ahead with their plans for the whole area. Their ambitions are endless," said Fouad al-Hashem, a columnist with Kuwait's Al-Watan newspaper.
Labels: Ahmed ben Heli, Arab League, Gulf states, Iran, Iraq, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, U.S.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Arab League - no plans to hold Arab summit on Iraq
Politics, Region
(Al-Sharq al-Awsat) - Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa told the London-based "Al-Sharq al-Awsat" in an interview published on May 14 that the Arab states are ill-prepared to deal with the Iraq issue. Asked what role Arab states could play to help the Iraqi government, Musa said: "The Arab world is also in a dilemma, and any solution must be based on national accord among Iraqis.... Without such an accord there will not be a new Iraq."
While stressing that the Arab League has pushed for national reconciliation in Iraq, Musa said that as secretary-general, he has no plans to hold an extraordinary Arab summit on Iraq, and that it would be up to Arab foreign ministers to propose such a meeting. Asked about criticisms by former Arab League representative to Iraq Mukhtar Lamani, Musa said: "That matter is over now, and there is another representative. The mission's charge d'affaires left for Baghdad yesterday. A league representative has been appointed and he too will be leaving for Baghdad soon." Musa contended that Lamani was frustrated with the Arab states, rather than with the Arab League.
Labels: Amr Mousa, Arab League, Iraq, Mukhtar Lamani
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Arab countries asked to support Iraq security handover
Conference, International
(Gulf News) - The final statement of a conference on Iraq urged all participants yesterday to support the transfer of security responsibilities in the country from US-led to Iraqi forces. "The participants agreed to ... welcome offers by Arab and other countries to support the development of the professional capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces," said the statement, a copy of which was obtained by AFP.
Iraq's neighbours and key international players meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm Al Shaikh called for the speedy transfer of security responsibilities but did not call for a withdrawal timetable. The participants pledged to "renew their support for the government of Iraq's efforts to accelerate the preparedness of its armed forces to assume full security and defence responsibilities in their country."
The communique added that such a process "will pave the way for the conclusion of the mandate of the multinational forces, whose presence will not be open-ended." It added that ending the coalition forces' presence in Iraq would come "upon the request of and in accordance with timing to be agreed by the government of Iraq."
Several Arab countries have repeatedly demanded a deadline for a US troop pull-out, something both the Baghdad government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Washington have always refused to set. Commenting on the final statement during a news conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gaith said: "To have unanimity... this was the maximum."
Iraq urged its neighbours to stop militants sneaking into Iraq and is expected to ask the Arab League to hold a conference on national reconciliation. Iraq made the call to its six neighbouring states that also brought together the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European Union and the Group of Eight leading industrialised countries.
The talks are due to focus on border security, Iraqi refugees and political reconciliation between Iraqi factions and ethnic and religious communities. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa said a draft final communique from the conference was expected to call on the Arab League to convene a national reconciliation conference for Iraq.
"We are ready for this. We are ready to host Iraqi national reconciliation," he said. "Now is not the time to exchange accusations but is the time to work together." Mousa gave no time frame as to when such a meeting could take place, nor did he say where it would be held. The 22-member Arab League is based in Cairo.
Iraq's neighbours and key international players meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm Al Shaikh called for the speedy transfer of security responsibilities but did not call for a withdrawal timetable. The participants pledged to "renew their support for the government of Iraq's efforts to accelerate the preparedness of its armed forces to assume full security and defence responsibilities in their country."
The communique added that such a process "will pave the way for the conclusion of the mandate of the multinational forces, whose presence will not be open-ended." It added that ending the coalition forces' presence in Iraq would come "upon the request of and in accordance with timing to be agreed by the government of Iraq."
Several Arab countries have repeatedly demanded a deadline for a US troop pull-out, something both the Baghdad government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Washington have always refused to set. Commenting on the final statement during a news conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gaith said: "To have unanimity... this was the maximum."
Iraq urged its neighbours to stop militants sneaking into Iraq and is expected to ask the Arab League to hold a conference on national reconciliation. Iraq made the call to its six neighbouring states that also brought together the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European Union and the Group of Eight leading industrialised countries.
The talks are due to focus on border security, Iraqi refugees and political reconciliation between Iraqi factions and ethnic and religious communities. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa said a draft final communique from the conference was expected to call on the Arab League to convene a national reconciliation conference for Iraq.
"We are ready for this. We are ready to host Iraqi national reconciliation," he said. "Now is not the time to exchange accusations but is the time to work together." Mousa gave no time frame as to when such a meeting could take place, nor did he say where it would be held. The 22-member Arab League is based in Cairo.
Labels: Amr Mousa, Arab League, Iraq, security handover, Sharm el-Sheikh
Friday, May 04, 2007
Arab League may hold Iraq national reconciliation conference
Conference, International
(Reuters) - Iraq urged its neighbors on Friday to stop militants sneaking into Iraq and, at talks in Egypt on stemming bloodshed, is expected to ask the Arab League to hold a conference on national reconciliation. Iraq made the call to its six neighboring states at a conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that also brought together the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the European Union and the Group of Eight leading industrialized countries.
"We will not allow terrorist organizations to use Iraqi territory as a safe haven," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told an opening session of the one-day conference. "That is what drives us to call on the regional neighbors to prevent the infiltration of terrorist groups into Iraq and to stop them obtaining material support and political and media support." The talks are due to focus on border security, Iraqi refugees and political reconciliation between Iraqi factions and ethnic and religious communities.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said a draft final communique from the conference was expected to call on the Arab League to convene a national reconciliation conference for Iraq. "We are ready for this. We are ready to host Iraqi national reconciliation," he said. "Now is not the time to exchange accusations but is the time to work together." Moussa gave no time frame as to when such a meeting could take place, nor did he say where it would be held. The 22-member Arab League is based in Cairo.
"We will not allow terrorist organizations to use Iraqi territory as a safe haven," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told an opening session of the one-day conference. "That is what drives us to call on the regional neighbors to prevent the infiltration of terrorist groups into Iraq and to stop them obtaining material support and political and media support." The talks are due to focus on border security, Iraqi refugees and political reconciliation between Iraqi factions and ethnic and religious communities.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said a draft final communique from the conference was expected to call on the Arab League to convene a national reconciliation conference for Iraq. "We are ready for this. We are ready to host Iraqi national reconciliation," he said. "Now is not the time to exchange accusations but is the time to work together." Moussa gave no time frame as to when such a meeting could take place, nor did he say where it would be held. The 22-member Arab League is based in Cairo.
Labels: Amr Mousa, Arab League, borders, Iraq, national reconciliation, Sharm el-Sheikh
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Allawi criticises U.S.-backed oil law and al-Maliki's government
Politics
(AP) - Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite just back from barnstorming for support among Sunni Arab leaders across the Middle East, appears determined to make another run at the premiership. His platform: Iraq cannot survive under the current Shiite leadership, and Sunnis must have a much larger role in government.
The Sunni-dominated Arab League believes this, as well, but the idea is opposed by the Shiite-led government in Iraq. Most Shiite lawmakers cannot abide Allawi's secular positions and it appears unlikely he could form a sufficiently large parliamentary coalition to retake the prime minister's office.
Allawi, while Shiite through family history, rejects mixing religion and government and says Iraq can only survive through reconciliation with Sunni Muslims and building government, military and police structures that are loyal to the Iraqi people, not to one of the nation's Muslim sects. His appointed government ran the country from June 2004 until his party was routed by religious Shiite parties in the January 2005 election.
He had been put in office by L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. official who ran Iraq for a year after the invasion. Now he is seeking to de-emphasize his links with the U.S., publicly at least. In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Allawi said the U.S.-backed draft oil law has the potential to "cause a severe backlash in society." The draft law, designed in part to create a fair distribution of oil profits to all Iraqis, is perhaps the most important piece of legislation for Iraq's American patrons. But the measure, which would give foreign companies some access to the country's enormous oil reserves, has not yet been put before parliament.
Passage of the oil law, thought to have been written with heavy U.S. involvement, is one of four benchmarks the Bush administration has set for al-Maliki's struggling government. But Allawi said the measure was written under time pressure and could have negative unforeseen consequences. He did not elaborate. He was also critical of the Baghdad security operation to which President Bush has committed an additional 30,000 troops, with full deployment not expected until June.
"I seems to me even the surge, unfortunately, is not working efficiently yet," Allawi said. "Security, as you can see, is still deteriorating in the country and sectarianism is unfortunately prevailing. We are witnessing wide-scale atrocities throughout the country." He blamed what he sees as al-Maliki's unwillingness to start a dialogue with the Sunni Arabs who ran the country under Saddam. For that reason, he said, the security drive "is not going to succeed, is going to backfire the day after" it ends.
"We don't have a political process now," Allawi said of al-Maliki's government, which, like the parliament, is dominated by Shiites. "What we have is a biased, sectarian-based political process which is damaging the country."
"I'm definitely trying to pull together an alliance of moderates in Iraq. I strongly believe that sectarianism and terrorism are both signs of extremism. And really what we need in Iraq, as well as the region, is the creation of moderate camps," Allawi said, coming as close as he would to saying whether he wanted a second term as prime minister.
He said the U.S., forced into backing al-Maliki through the democratic process Washington established in Iraq, will never achieve its objectives as long as it remains tied to the highly sectarian Shiite leadership. Allawi says the problems that exist now were of the United States' creation. "I always thought that the first steps toward democracy were not to have elections. The first steps are (to create) the rule of law and a bill of rights for the people. That would pave the way for full-blown democracy," he said.
But Allawi's distaste for the U.S. pressure to quickly hold elections may arise from the drubbing he took from the Shiite religious parties. Now he's again placing himself in the public spotlight, particularly with his trip recently to Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan - all predominantly Sunni countries concerned about the fate of fellow Sunnis in Iraq. Allawi, a Shiite who is an outcast among his own sect because of his secular policies, appears to be trying to rebuild his stature on a Sunni foundation.
The Sunni-dominated Arab League believes this, as well, but the idea is opposed by the Shiite-led government in Iraq. Most Shiite lawmakers cannot abide Allawi's secular positions and it appears unlikely he could form a sufficiently large parliamentary coalition to retake the prime minister's office.
Allawi, while Shiite through family history, rejects mixing religion and government and says Iraq can only survive through reconciliation with Sunni Muslims and building government, military and police structures that are loyal to the Iraqi people, not to one of the nation's Muslim sects. His appointed government ran the country from June 2004 until his party was routed by religious Shiite parties in the January 2005 election.
He had been put in office by L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. official who ran Iraq for a year after the invasion. Now he is seeking to de-emphasize his links with the U.S., publicly at least. In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Allawi said the U.S.-backed draft oil law has the potential to "cause a severe backlash in society." The draft law, designed in part to create a fair distribution of oil profits to all Iraqis, is perhaps the most important piece of legislation for Iraq's American patrons. But the measure, which would give foreign companies some access to the country's enormous oil reserves, has not yet been put before parliament.
Passage of the oil law, thought to have been written with heavy U.S. involvement, is one of four benchmarks the Bush administration has set for al-Maliki's struggling government. But Allawi said the measure was written under time pressure and could have negative unforeseen consequences. He did not elaborate. He was also critical of the Baghdad security operation to which President Bush has committed an additional 30,000 troops, with full deployment not expected until June.
"I seems to me even the surge, unfortunately, is not working efficiently yet," Allawi said. "Security, as you can see, is still deteriorating in the country and sectarianism is unfortunately prevailing. We are witnessing wide-scale atrocities throughout the country." He blamed what he sees as al-Maliki's unwillingness to start a dialogue with the Sunni Arabs who ran the country under Saddam. For that reason, he said, the security drive "is not going to succeed, is going to backfire the day after" it ends.
"We don't have a political process now," Allawi said of al-Maliki's government, which, like the parliament, is dominated by Shiites. "What we have is a biased, sectarian-based political process which is damaging the country."
"I'm definitely trying to pull together an alliance of moderates in Iraq. I strongly believe that sectarianism and terrorism are both signs of extremism. And really what we need in Iraq, as well as the region, is the creation of moderate camps," Allawi said, coming as close as he would to saying whether he wanted a second term as prime minister.
He said the U.S., forced into backing al-Maliki through the democratic process Washington established in Iraq, will never achieve its objectives as long as it remains tied to the highly sectarian Shiite leadership. Allawi says the problems that exist now were of the United States' creation. "I always thought that the first steps toward democracy were not to have elections. The first steps are (to create) the rule of law and a bill of rights for the people. That would pave the way for full-blown democracy," he said.
But Allawi's distaste for the U.S. pressure to quickly hold elections may arise from the drubbing he took from the Shiite religious parties. Now he's again placing himself in the public spotlight, particularly with his trip recently to Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan - all predominantly Sunni countries concerned about the fate of fellow Sunnis in Iraq. Allawi, a Shiite who is an outcast among his own sect because of his secular policies, appears to be trying to rebuild his stature on a Sunni foundation.
Labels: Arab League, draft oil law, Iyad Allawi, Nouri Al-Maliki, operation Imposing Law
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Iraq's Shiite clerics criticise the Arab League
Security, International, Politics
(AINA) Shiite Muslim clerics displayed growing impatience on Friday with the government's failure to stop attacks by Sunni Arab insurgents and lashed out at Sunni Arab states, who blame Iraq's Shiite-led government for sectarian divisions. On the eve of a regional meeting to discuss Iraq's security problems, clerics said the Arab League, a bloc of mainly Sunni Arab states which will attend the meeting, were infringing on Iraq's sovereignty by suggesting that constitutional reforms were needed to give non-Shiites a greater share of power.
The meeting Saturday is sure to highlight tangled loyalties, resentments and suspicions in the region, as it brings together long-time adversaries, including the U.S., Iran, and Syria, as well as representatives of the U.N. Security Council and Iraq's neighbors. The U.S. accuses Iran of providing lethal explosives to Shiite militias fighting U.S. forces in Iraq, and it says Syria has left its border with Iraq purposely unguarded to permit the flow of anti-U.S. insurgents. Iran and Syria deny the accusations. Iran, meanwhile, is at odds with the United Nations over its nuclear enrichment program.
Arab League states such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt say Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is to blame for much of his country's strife and have vowed to use the meeting to press for changes in the government and constitution. "They should know that they must stay out of the Iraqi business," said Sayyed Ahmed Safi, addressing millions of Shiite pilgrims gathered for a religious festival in the city of Karbala. Safi, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, also condemned the slaughter of nearly 200 pilgrims slain by suspected Sunni insurgents as they marched toward Karbala earlier in the week and said it showed the weaknesses of the latest U.S.-Iraqi security plan.
"The security plan needs solidarity and, if possible, all the grass roots should be recruited to make it succeed, as it is the only way to bring stability back," he said, in an apparent reference to Shiite militiamen led by anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada Sadr.
The meeting Saturday is sure to highlight tangled loyalties, resentments and suspicions in the region, as it brings together long-time adversaries, including the U.S., Iran, and Syria, as well as representatives of the U.N. Security Council and Iraq's neighbors. The U.S. accuses Iran of providing lethal explosives to Shiite militias fighting U.S. forces in Iraq, and it says Syria has left its border with Iraq purposely unguarded to permit the flow of anti-U.S. insurgents. Iran and Syria deny the accusations. Iran, meanwhile, is at odds with the United Nations over its nuclear enrichment program.
Arab League states such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt say Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is to blame for much of his country's strife and have vowed to use the meeting to press for changes in the government and constitution. "They should know that they must stay out of the Iraqi business," said Sayyed Ahmed Safi, addressing millions of Shiite pilgrims gathered for a religious festival in the city of Karbala. Safi, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, also condemned the slaughter of nearly 200 pilgrims slain by suspected Sunni insurgents as they marched toward Karbala earlier in the week and said it showed the weaknesses of the latest U.S.-Iraqi security plan.
"The security plan needs solidarity and, if possible, all the grass roots should be recruited to make it succeed, as it is the only way to bring stability back," he said, in an apparent reference to Shiite militiamen led by anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada Sadr.
Even if the talks are tense, analysts say it is unlikely the meeting will end in rancor because of the attendees' shared desire for stability in Iraq. "None of these countries wants Somalia on their border," said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic Studies in Washington. "They don't want a country with armed militias running the streets."
Labels: Arab League, Sayyed Ahmed Safi, Shiite Muslim clerics, Sistani
Friday, March 09, 2007
Arab League remarks infuriate UIA
Politics, Middle East,
(AP) Iraq's Shiite leaders expressed anger yesterday at criticism levelled against them by the top Arab League official, warning that such remarks could overshadow this weekend's regional conference to ease the security crisis in Iraq. Last weekend, Arab League's Secretary-General Amr Mousa suggested that Arab governments may take their recommendations on quelling the bloodshed in Iraq to the UN Security Council.
Such a move would be widely interpreted as a failure of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government. In a statement yesterday, the United Iraqi Alliance, the major Shiite bloc in parliament, said Mousa's comments amounted to "flagrant interference in Iraq's internal affairs" and "ignored the march of the Iraqi people to build a free and democratic state."
"At the same time we hope that the regional conference due to be held in Baghdad in March 10 will not be shadowed by such stands" and will not have a "negative impact" on efforts to resolve the Iraq crisis, the statement said. During a press conference yesterday, the Shiite Deputy Speaker of parliament, Khalid Al Attiyah, also denounced Mousa's comments, saying they could provoke "sedition and disputes among Iraqi people."
"We hope that the Arab League will not be part of any dispute or quarrel inside Iraq that might encourage some parties to take some Arab countries to their sides to accomplish their political desires," Al Attiyah said. Mousa's comments were made in Cairo, Egypt during a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss participation in the Baghdad conference.
(AP) Iraq's Shiite leaders expressed anger yesterday at criticism levelled against them by the top Arab League official, warning that such remarks could overshadow this weekend's regional conference to ease the security crisis in Iraq. Last weekend, Arab League's Secretary-General Amr Mousa suggested that Arab governments may take their recommendations on quelling the bloodshed in Iraq to the UN Security Council.
Such a move would be widely interpreted as a failure of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government. In a statement yesterday, the United Iraqi Alliance, the major Shiite bloc in parliament, said Mousa's comments amounted to "flagrant interference in Iraq's internal affairs" and "ignored the march of the Iraqi people to build a free and democratic state."
"At the same time we hope that the regional conference due to be held in Baghdad in March 10 will not be shadowed by such stands" and will not have a "negative impact" on efforts to resolve the Iraq crisis, the statement said. During a press conference yesterday, the Shiite Deputy Speaker of parliament, Khalid Al Attiyah, also denounced Mousa's comments, saying they could provoke "sedition and disputes among Iraqi people."
"We hope that the Arab League will not be part of any dispute or quarrel inside Iraq that might encourage some parties to take some Arab countries to their sides to accomplish their political desires," Al Attiyah said. Mousa's comments were made in Cairo, Egypt during a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss participation in the Baghdad conference.
Labels: Amr Mousa, Arab League, Khalid Al Attiyah, United Iraqi Alliance, UNSC
Monday, March 05, 2007
Arab League tells Iraq government it must control situation
Politics, Security, Region
(AP) The Iraqi government is responsible for defusing the sectarian violence tearing the country apart and should redraft the constitution and rescind laws that give preferential treatment to Shiites and Kurds, Arab foreign ministers said in a statement Sunday. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa also hinted that Arab governments may take their recommendations on stemming the violence in Iraq to the U.N. Security Council if the government's efforts to end the crisis fail.
Sunday's statement was the strongest sign yet from the mostly Sunni Muslim Arab governments in the Middle East that they blame the Iraqi government for the country's sectarian strife. "The resolution of the conflict lies on the Iraqi government and the Iraqi leaders whose first responsibility should be to reactivate efforts for national reconciliation," the ministers said in a statement released after they met in Cairo.
In the statement, the ministers set forth several recommendations they want the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to consider before they give their full support to a regional conference on stabilizing Iraq that is scheduled to start Saturday in Baghdad. Among the recommendations are expanding the political process to achieve broader participation of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, confronting sectarian tensions and working to eliminate them, speeding up constitutional reform, and ensuring the equal distribution of wealth.
The ministers also called for revoking an Iraqi law that dismissed senior members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party from the government and urged the government to pass a law that specifically says Iraqis should be treated equally based on their citizenship, not their religion or ethnicity. In addition, they called on the Iraqi government to disband Shiite militias, end armed demonstrations and decide on a specific timeframe for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
"In my opinion, the mechanism (for ending the strife) should be through the Security Council, without that there will no solution," Moussa told reporters after Sunday's meeting. Sunni Arab countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have been deeply disturbed by what they view as a Shiite bias on the part of Iraq's Shiite-led government as sectarian violence has flared in recent months. Earlier Sunday, the ministers had pledged to send representatives to the Baghdad meeting next weekend despite their reservations about the country's direction.
Sunday's statement was the strongest sign yet from the mostly Sunni Muslim Arab governments in the Middle East that they blame the Iraqi government for the country's sectarian strife. "The resolution of the conflict lies on the Iraqi government and the Iraqi leaders whose first responsibility should be to reactivate efforts for national reconciliation," the ministers said in a statement released after they met in Cairo.
In the statement, the ministers set forth several recommendations they want the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to consider before they give their full support to a regional conference on stabilizing Iraq that is scheduled to start Saturday in Baghdad. Among the recommendations are expanding the political process to achieve broader participation of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, confronting sectarian tensions and working to eliminate them, speeding up constitutional reform, and ensuring the equal distribution of wealth.
The ministers also called for revoking an Iraqi law that dismissed senior members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party from the government and urged the government to pass a law that specifically says Iraqis should be treated equally based on their citizenship, not their religion or ethnicity. In addition, they called on the Iraqi government to disband Shiite militias, end armed demonstrations and decide on a specific timeframe for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
"In my opinion, the mechanism (for ending the strife) should be through the Security Council, without that there will no solution," Moussa told reporters after Sunday's meeting. Sunni Arab countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have been deeply disturbed by what they view as a Shiite bias on the part of Iraq's Shiite-led government as sectarian violence has flared in recent months. Earlier Sunday, the ministers had pledged to send representatives to the Baghdad meeting next weekend despite their reservations about the country's direction.
Labels: Arab League, Secretary-General Amr Moussa, UNSC
