Abdulaziz Al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Wednesday urged countries of the region to join hands to confront terrorist operations in the area. Speaking to reporters after meeting Kuwaiti Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, Al-Hakim voiced fear that Iraq might be transformed into a "haven for terrorism and terrorists, which calls for confronting them through real cooperation among the region's people and nations." He also called on clerics to play a "distinguished role" in dealing with terrorism.
| I'll make some popcorn. That should be something to see... |
On recent terrorist attacks in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Hakim said, "Such incidents were expected and we've previously said that instability in Iraq means instability in the region." Meanwhile, he expressed deep thanks to Kuwait's "firm and principled" stands toward Iraq. On his meeting with Khorafi, Hakim said that they discussed the security situation in Iraq and bilateral relations. "We had feared that Iraq would turn into a breeding ground for terrorism," he said. "We expect those operations which took place in Riyadh have a link to the terrorist groups inside Iraq."
Saudi Arabia and its ally the United States blamed al Qaeda for the bombing. Washington blames die-hard supporters of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and foreign Muslim militants for a wave of attacks on occupying troops and a series of suicide bombings in Iraq. "According to reliable information, some groups have been moved from Iraq to inside the kingdom and they may move to other countries," he added. "Those people don't want stability or security for all the people of the region." Hakim's brother, Shi'ite religious leader Ayatollah Baqer al-Hakim, was killed in an August car bombing in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq. Hakim succeeded his brother as head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).
| I'm of two minds about SAIRI. Before the war and during the early stages immediately following it, I thought they were Iranian stooges. But they seem to be evolving into a responsible group — I'm glad to see it, but I'm still wondering how much of it is show. |
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