DAR AL ISLAM - QATAR: AVOID UNILATERAL INTERVENTION IN THE REGION

US urged to avoid unilateral intervention in the region
By Barbara Bibbo',
Correspondent

Doha: Sectarian strife in Iraq could spill over into other Gulf countries with dangerous consequences for the region, Qatar's foreign minister warned on Sunday.

Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabr Al Thani called on religious leaders to work on curbing sectarian clashes in Iraq and appealed to the United States to refrain from unilateral intervention in the region.

"What is happening in Iraq is having negative consequences in the region. The division between Sunni and Shiites is a dangerous one. Intellectuals and religious figures should help curb this clash," he said.

"We hope the [US] policies that have led to such a situation would be reviewed and eventually discussed with the countries in the region that are directly affected."

Shaikh Hamad was addressing reporters during a joint press conference with Italy's Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, who is on a three-day tour of the Gulf region.

D'Alema said a solution to the Iraqi crisis requires a stronger support for the national dialogue among factions and a better integration of the Sunni community into the country's public life.

"Rather than increasing the military presence, we believe a way out of the crisis is possible by strengthening Iraqi institutions, the police force and the Army," he added, commenting on the recent US decision to increase troops in Iraq.

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1) US urged to avoid unilateral intervention in the region