Breakup of Iraq could lead to "collapse" of Arab world: Egypt

Mon Jan 26, 9:47 AM ET

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CAIRO (AFP) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites)'s political adviser warned that a breakup of Iraq (news - web sites) could lead to the "collapse" of the Arab world.

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"Egypt rejects any attempt to divide Iraq, an issue which could cause a spread of the separatist virus to neighbouring countries," Osama al-Baz said during a public meeting at the Cairo Book Fair, the official news agency MENA reported.

Separatist moves would lead to "a breakup of the region and deterioration of the situation, which could trigger the collapse of the Arab world", he said. "The disastrous consequences would have repercussions on the entire world."

Mubarak's adviser also criticised the US administration's policies, saying that it had "learnt its lesson and found out its adventure in Iraq was not a stroll in the park.

"So they are trying, by all means, to cut back the duration of their presence in Iraq to limit the terrifying toll of their daily losses," Baz said.

Iraq is predominantly Shiite Muslim but its population also includes Sunni Muslims, and Kurds, who are hoping for some form of self-rule in the north of the country after the planned transfer of power in June.

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