Web JafariyaNews

Jordan, Egypt issue warning against Shia power in Iraq

By: Sultan Ahmed

CAIRO, Egypt: The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan on Wednesday have warned in veil to regional religious leaders against using next month's critical elections in Iraq to create a Shia-dominated state.

“We should preserve Iraq's Arabism -- this unites Shias and Sunnis,” said Foreign Minister Hani Al-Mulqi of Jordan. “We do not want to politicize religion.”

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told the same press conference his country shares Jordan's concern about a Shia government in Iraq. Shia make up majority in Iraq.

“There should be no division in Iraq. Shias and Sunnis are all Arabs,” Aboul Gheit said.

Earlier this month, Jordan's King Abdullah II warned of a possible Shia hegemony in the region. The king in an interview with The Washington Post accused Iran of trying to influence the January 30 elections in Iraq well. Iran has denied allegations it is trying to influence Iraq's political process.

Holy Najaf Marjaiyah as well as all religion-loving forces had condemned the remarks of King Abdullah II terming these an attempt to fan biases in the region.

In Jordan, Iraq’s interim Premier Iyad Allawi met King Abdullah to discuss how the Iraqi government is preparing for elections in the face of the riot.

END