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Jordan monarch defends remarks on Shia crescent

By: Sultan Ahmed

KUWAIT CITY: King Abdullah II of Jordan tried to temper remarks that reflected Arab fears the elections will produce a Shia Muslim-dominated Iraq that will align itself with Persian Iran, as foreign ministers from Iraq's neighboring states met in Jordan Thursday.

In an interview published Thursday by Kuwaiti newspaper Ar-Rai Al-Aam, the king stressed he was not opposed to Shias and said his comments that Iran was trying to influence the vote and create “Shia crescent” had been misinterpreted.

Iran in protest over the remarks did not send its foreign minister to the meeting, intended to urge Iraqis to defy boycott calls and take part in the elections.

Iraq's foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari echoed Abdullah's claims Thursday, saying the world should not fear that Iraq's elections will set up an Iranian-style government in Baghdad.

“My statements on the Shia crescent were blown out of proportion by some in Iran and interpreted to the contrary of my intentions,” said the monarch.

The monarch said his statements would “never be directed against the Shias… We are keen to see the Sunnis and Shias together as they have always been.”

The king also called on all Iraqis to take part in the polls, saying boycotting the elections is not in Iraq's interests.

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