Maliki Warns of Foreign Agendas: Regional Sectarian Tension Affecting Iraq

Local Editor

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned Sunday of the "polarization" across the region as he led a ceremony marking the anniversary of the founding of the country's armed forces.

Maliki said "regional competition" was negatively affecting Iraq, an apparent reference to the violence in Syria, and two weeks of rallies in Iraq's western Anbar province.
"Regional competition and polarization exists in the region, and what is surrounding us, sectarian tension, is affecting Iraq badly," Maliki said in a speech to army officers in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
He further emphasized that "our forces now are not fighting terrorist groups or isolated criminal groups, they are fighting groups backed by dangerous Takfirist (extremist) ideology."

Maliki further called the armed forces to be equipped to be a defensive force, and added that Iraq did not want an "arms race."
"The army today is responsible for protecting a great country and it must be up to the task," Maliki said. "It should be well trained and equipped with modern weapons, and that is what we are seeking for it."

He also called for unity in Iraq and stressed that the country's problems must be solved by national dialogue.

Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23 when bodyguards of Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi were arrested on terrorism-related charges.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org