Al-Maliki predicts surge in killings

[ECH1969]

WHEN Tony Blair called the fighting in Lebanon a catastrophe yesterday the response of his Iraqi counterpart was blunt.

The Israeli onslaught was, in fact, beyond catastrophe and would only boost extremism in Baghdad, Nouri al-Maliki said on his first official visit to London. He said that the broader effect of the two-week-old war would spur “a great push towards fundamentalism and extremism” in the region.

Images of Lebanese suffering were a grave setback in the search for stability in Iraq, he added. “It will be a negative message for all those who want peaceful resolutions and to follow international law,” he said.

Sectarian death squads have overtaken anti-coalition insurgents as the main perpetrators of violence, bringing de facto segregation to much of Baghdad.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2283879,00.html

[panader0]

1. it seems only obvious that the Lebanon situation will stir more

violence in Iraq and I'm sure Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan and every other country in the middle east.

[ShortnFiery]

2. But no desire to call a cease fire on the part of our USA Leaders? eom