Monday, November 27, 2006

King warns 3 civil wars loom in Middle East

AMMAN (JT) — King Abdullah on Sunday warned that the Middle East was facing three civil wars, unless the international community takes strong action.

“The difficulty that we’re tackling with here is, we’re juggling with the strong potential of three civil wars in the region, whether it’s the Palestinians, that of Lebanon or of Iraq,” the King told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week” (see the interview’s transcript ).

“We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands. And therefore, it is time that we really take a strong step forward as part of the international community and make sure we avert the Middle East from a tremendous crisis that I fear, and I see could possibly happen in 2007.”

But the King called for a renewed focus on the “core issues” hampering regional peace.

“We do want to concentrate ourselves on the core issues, which we believe are the Palestinians and the Palestinian peace process, because that is a must today,” he reiterated.

“I keep saying Palestine is the core. It is linked to the extent of what’s going on in Iraq. It is linked to what’s going on in Lebanon. It is linked to the issues that we find ourselves with the Syrians. So, if you want to do comprehensive — comprehensive means bringing all the parties of the region together.”

The Monarch, meanwhile, said “something dramatic” should come from a meeting this week in Jordan between US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki to stop violence in the neighbouring country.

King Abdullah, however, said the conflict in Iraq was one of three raging in the region — not even the most pressing one.

“When it comes to things exploding out of control, I would put today, as we stand, Palestine and probably a close tie with Lebanon,” he said.

“Iraq, funny enough, although as concerned as I am with Iraq and the major problems that that might bring to us, is in third position. Obviously, this is all relative.”

King Abdullah said urgent change was needed in Iraq.

“There needs to be some very strong action taken on the ground there today…. There needs to be a strategy. There needs to be a plan that brings all the parties together, and bring them today and not tomorrow,” he emphasised.

“We are very, very concerned for the future of all Iraqis, and we hope that there will be something dramatic. The challenges, obviously, in front of both of them are immense.”

Stressing that such conflicts cannot be separated one from another, the King said the US must look at the “big picture” and seek comprehensive Middle Eastern solutions involving all regional players, including Syria and Iran.

King, Erdogan discuss Palestinian, Iraqi situations

Also yesterday, the King and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks on the Palestinian issue and the Iraqi situation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The King told Erdogan that the Middle East will not enjoy peace and stability unless the Palestinian cause, the core regional conflict, is resolved.

The Monarch reiterated that the Arab Peace Initiative, which envisages an independent Palestinian state living in peace next to Israel, provides an appropriate framework for ending the conflict.

The two leaders also discussed the Iraqi situation, condemning sectarian violence tearing apart the country.

They stressed that Iraq’s neighbours should cooperate to help the country overcome its crisis.

King Abdullah called on Turkey to rally international support to help restore stability in Iraq and achieve peace in the Palestinian territories.

Both leaders on Sunday addressed the second annual forum of the Young Arab Leaders at the Dead Sea (see report).

Monday, November 27, 2006