Iraq’s Jabor regrets attack on Saudi Arabia-paper

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iraq’s outspoken Shi’ite interior
minister was quoted on Sunday as saying he hoped his verbal
onslaught on Saudi Arabia would be a “passing summer cloud” and
that ties between the two countries would remain strong.

Bayan Jabor had last week referred to Saudi Foreign
Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal as a “bedouin riding camel” and
slammed the kingdom’s treatment of women and minority Shi’ites,
forcing the Iraqi foreign minister to apologize to Saudi
Arabia.

“I hope these statements and what has been said and written
will be a passing summer cloud … My statements have nothing
to do with the Iraqi government,” Jabor told Saudi-owned Asharq
al-Awsat newspaper.

“I respect very much, the wise and balanced Saudi policy
which has always been calm and acceptable to all,” he said,
adding that his ministry will soon send a delegation to Saudi
Arabia to discuss joint security matters with “Saudi brothers.”

Jabor had lashed out at Faisal after he had warned of the
influence of non-Arab, Shi’ite Iran in Iraq and the possibility
of civil war between Sunnis and Shi’ites in the Arab country.

Like Saudi Arabia, other Sunni Muslim-ruled Gulf states
fear rising tensions between Iraq’s disgruntled Sunni minority
and the Shi’ite majority could erupt into a war that could
spill across their borders.

They are also worried that a proposed federal system in
Iraq will further stoke sectarian tension.

In the interview, Jabor dismissed concerns of strife.

“We don’t want a Shi’ite federal state. We want federalism
along geographic lines. Federalism does not mean division but
unifications. We are Arab Shi’ites and we are proud of our
Arab, Islamic and Shi’ite identities

“We have not and will not follow anyone. As an interior
minister I will not allow any Iranian to cross the border
without a proper visa,” he said.

On the internal security front, Jabor said there were 900
foreign Arab militants, down from between 2,500 to 3,000 three
months ago. He said the ministry has not extradited any foreign
militant and plans to try them in Iraqi courts instead.