IRAQ: Arabs, Muslims against war, says Syria

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 2003 (IPS) - A US-led war on Iraq will take humanity back to the ever-worst age of colonialism, a Syrian top official warned today.

Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khadam reiterated that the Iraqi people, Arabs and Muslims strongly oppose the possible war on Iraq. – Iraqis, Arabs and Muslims are totally against any foreign intervention in their countries’ internal affairs or the return of foreign military or non-military rule in any Arab or Muslim country," Khadam told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in a brief interview on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit here.

He added: ôNo honorable Arab will accept dealing with a foreign occupying force in any Arab or Muslim country."

On reports that the expected Arab summit has been cancelled, Khadam said: ôI have no information from Damascus about the issue, but, of course, Syria wants the pan-Arab meeting to provide an atmosphere conducive to a successful effort that wards off war on Iraq."