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Low Graphics Thursday, 29 November, 2001, 02:24 GMT
Mid-East warns US on Iraq
Iraq refuses to let UN inspectors back into the country
Middle Eastern countries have voiced concern over US hints it may turn against Iraq as the next military target in its war on terrorism.
Egypt and Jordan, important US allies and supporters of the campaign against terrorism, both warned the US against targeting Iraq.
It would be a mistake to resort to using force against Iraq
Ahmed Maher, Egyptian foreign minister
The warnings came soon after European leaders expressed similar reservations, calling on the US to focus its campaign inside Afghanistan.
US officials have refused to rule out striking against Iraq, or any other country it considers to sponsor terrorism.
Force 'mistaken'
Egypt's foreign minister Ahmed Maher said that the use of force against Iraq would be a "mistake".
"It would not solve the problem and would detract from solidarity," he said.
Bush said Saddam will "find out" the consequences
Jordanian government spokesperson Saleh Qallab said that military action would have "negative consequences", a phrase echoed by Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara, who warned that the US would be making "a fatal mistake".
Iraq's vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan said in an interview with Qatar's al-Jazeera that Iraq expected "a wide scale and destructive" attack.
However he said it would "damage the US and further reinforce its isolation".
Arms inspectors
The latest concerns follow comments by US President George W Bush and other US officials that Iraq should allow international arms inspectors back inside the country. On Monday Mr Bush said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein would "find out" the consequences if he refused.
The comments also caused concern in Europe, where German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said his country would be reluctant to commit troops to any further military attacks in countries such as Iraq or Somalia.
France's defence minister also expressed doubts over extending the war.
Despite these concerns, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said his country continued to monitor Iraq "very closely".
"We're going after al-Qaeda and that network and we continue to keep our eye on Iraq," he said.
Sanctions debate
Iraq's vice president Ramadan also repeated his country's refusal to allow United Nations arms inspectors back inside the country.
Many feel sanctions harm ordinary Iraqis
The refusal comes as the UN Security Council debates a resolution to renew the oil-for-food programme, including US and British modifications which would ease sanctions on civilian goods reaching Iraq while tightening controls on weapons - so-called 'smart sanctions'.
The economic embargo against Iraq has been in place since the end of the Gulf War in 1991 but has come under mounting criticism for harming ordinary Iraqis.
The current oil-for-food programme expires on Friday.
Iraq has rejected US and British plans to alter the UN economic embargo against it to allow more civilian goods into Iraq, saying the embargo must be ended altogether.
WATCH/LISTEN
ON THIS STORY
The BBC's Greg Barrow
"Iraq has been one of the most divisive subjects of the UN Security Council"
Former weapons inspector in Iraq Richard Butler
"What the President said is a touch confusing"
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See also:
27 Nov 01 | Middle East
Iraq defies US over arms inspections
26 Nov 01 | Americas
Bush warns Iraq over UN inspectors
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Could Iraq be next?
12 Nov 01 | Middle East
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30 Oct 01 | Middle East
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Internet links:
Iraqi Presidency
UN Mission to Iraq
US State Department
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
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