Iraqi Shiite MP concedes differences with Saudi Arabia (Roundup)

By Pakinam Amer May 5, 2007, 14:23 GMT

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.