ISLAM: SUNNI MOSLEMS WORRIED ABOUT IRAN'S (SHI'IAH) GROWING INFLUENCE

Sunni Arab states wary of Iran’s role
By Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor

In deflecting pressure for a change of policy towards Iran and Syria, President George W. Bush is turning to traditional US allies in the Middle East.

Though hardly enchanted with US policy in Iraq and the rest of the region, the so-called “moderate” Arab states are as reluctant as the White House to give Tehran and Damascus a larger role in resolving the Iraq conflict.

Troubled by the rising influence and nuclear ambitions of Shia Iran in a largely Sunni Arab world, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are desperate to limit Tehran’s power in Iraq and bolster their own authority.

According to Jordanian officials, the message likely to have been delivered to Mr Bush on Wednesday by King Abdullah was that containing the civil war in Iraq was “not a matter of engaging with Iran and Syria”, but rather involved more empowerment of Iraq’s Sunni Arab minority that dominates the insurgency.

A recommendation for direct US talks with Tehran and Damascus – which the US accuses of fomenting Iraqi unrest – is expected to emerge in the much-awaited report of a US bipartisan commission this month.

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