Cairo - In the wake of the so-called 'neighbours-plus'
conference, a member of the ruling coalition in the Iraqi national
assembly said there is 'a misunderstanding' between the Iraqi and the
Saudi governments.
In response to remarks made by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-
Faisal during and after the key conference, Abbas al-Biaty, an MP
belonging to the ruling United Iraqi alliance, said that there are
differences in views between the two countries, and misunderstanding.
'This we cannot hide,' he added.
Al-Faisal, who was considered one of the key players in the Egypt-
based conference, told al-Hayat newspaper's Saturday edition that
'the situation in Iraq is only getting worse' and added: 'We fear
that the situation will deteriorate into a civil war.'
The comments were considered an 'exaggeration' by al-Biaty who
vehemently denied the possibility of a war based on confessional
differences. He said that this and such statements by neighbouring
states give 'a wrong message' to the Iraqi people.
'These countries should open up their embassies, and send
delegations into Iraq in order to receive reports that correctly
mirror the situation in Iraq,' he said. 'The brothers (in
neighbouring states) have incorrect information.'
The 18th conference on Iraq since the US-led invasion and ouster
of Saddam Hussein in 2003 brought together leaders from 21 countries
along with top international diplomats but failed to bring about
either a short-term or long-term solution for Iraq's troubles.
Al-Faisal's remarks followed the conference which ended Friday and
which was regarded by independent observers as a disappointment even
though Premier Nuri al-Maliki's government said it regarded it as a
'step' towards national reconciliation and reform.
According to government members, the conference was intended to
hail moral support for the Shiite-led cabinet and its internal
projects. However, al-Maliki, whose cabinet is under fire from Iraqis
for failing to curb the ongoing violence, did not receive the
expected support from some of the Arab governments.
During the conference, reports even circulated that al-Faisal had
refused to meet with al-Maliki. If this were true it could imply the
lack of Saudi support for the Shiite premier.
Such reports have not been confirmed, but al-Biaty said that al-
Maliki was 'promised a visit to Saudi Arabia. And this visit never
happened.'
When asked by al-Hayat if the Saudi government was willing to back
al-Maliki's cabinet, al-Faisal said: 'We do not interfere in the
internal matters of Iraq or any other country. This is up to the
Iraqis.'
He added that al-Maliki's government has an important role in
'convincing' participants in the upcoming and much-anticipated Iraqi
national reconciliation meeting 'that (the Iraqi government) is the
side that they should trust.'
He also said that it is up to the Iraqi government to end the
troubles of 'all Iraqis.'
Concerning Iraq's armed militias, who are said to have infiltrated
army, police and government ranks, al-Faisal said: 'Is it acceptable
that militias are part of a legitimate government now?'
In response, al-Biaty said that Saudi support is indeed needed as
his country is embracing a new democracy project. But he added that
'Iraq will not accept ready-made recipes (for reconciliation) from
either friendly nations or neighbouring ones.'
He also said that Riyadh should facilitate a 'direct meeting'
between the Iraqi and the Saudi governments.
'But it is important that (no country) sides with another regional
party or one of the concerned factions,' he added.
Saudi Arabia is a strict Sunni state, and in recent statements the
Saudi leadership has underlined the importance of incorporating all
factions in the Iraqi political arena.
After the fall of Saddam, Sunnis have claimed that they were being
systematically targeted and marginalized by both Iraqi and US
authorities. Independent observers say this could be the reason why
the Saudis are reluctant to offer unconditional support to al-Maliki.
Al-Maliki's ruling coalition, which has the biggest representation
in Iraq's parliament, includes members of the Shiite al-Sadr faction.
This is led by the feared Muqtada al-Sadr who is blamed - along with
his backers - for the raging violence and many attacks across Iraq.
The radical faction is also said to have supporters among police
and army forces, who in turn are accused of being 'biased' against
some Sunni groups.
More than once, al-Maliki has dodged such accusations, claiming
that the government clamps down on extremists from both sides -
Shiites and Sunnis - and is equal to all.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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