Mubarak sounds alarm on Iraq, Iran

President Hosni Mubarak, often seen as an elder statesman of Arab leaders, questioned the loyalties of Shiite Muslims to their home countries over the weekend and expressed concerns about the destruction of Iraq and Iran's growing influence.

"Most of the Shiites are loyal to Iran and not to the countries they are living in," Mubarak, who is Sunni, said in an hour-long interview Saturday night on Al-Arabiya television. His remarks indicate a growing unease among Arab leaders over the political ramifications and potential backlash from the Iraq war.

Iran has increasingly been accused by Western and Arab observers of provoking violence in Iraq and wielding influence among Shiites there. Iran is a Shiite Islamic republic; Iraq, which has a mixed population with a Shiite majority, has been rattled by attacks targeting Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. Many other Arab countries, including Egypt, are largely Sunni and wary of Iran's ambitions.

Mubarak said he believes that after three years of conflict, Iraq is heading deeper into misery and could harm others.

"Civil war has almost started among Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and those who are coming from Asia," he said. "I don't know how Iraq will be brought together. At this moment, Iraq is almost close to destruction."

Mubarak added that a U.S. withdrawal would hurt the situation and increase the possibility of terrorism beyond Iraq.

Troop withdrawal "would be a blow. The war would be inflamed among Iraqis. It would become a theater for a dreadful civil war and then the terrorist operation will be escalated--not only in Iraq," he said.

Mubarak's interview was remarkable for its breadth and the blunt manner in which he parsed Sunni and Shiite allegiances. A spokesman said Sunday night on state television that the remarks were made "out of extreme concern for the continuing deterioration of the situation in Iraq."

The remarks resonated throughout the weekend as reports surfaced that intelligence chiefs from several Arab countries, including Egypt, were meeting secretly to plan strategies in case civil war fully erupts in Iraq.

The Reuters news service reported that intelligence officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey had been meeting for weeks to plan for possible unrest and to contain Iran's influence.

Quoting unnamed diplomats, Reuters said at least one of the meetings was held in Cairo in late March. Turkey, which has a significant Kurdish population and borders northern Iraq, has been concerned about Kurdish ambitions for independence.

Mubarak's remarks drew swift denunciation from Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. A Shiite, al-Jaafari has been unable to pull together a government since national elections four months ago, a failure due largely to sectarian disagreements.

Still, al-Jaafari, President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and Adnan Pachachi, a Sunni and acting speaker of the parliament, stood together Sunday to register dismay at Mubarak's remarks.

"We are astonished that Egypt identifies Iraq's security problems as a civil war. Our people are still far away from any sectarian conflict or civil war," al-Jaafari said, reading a joint statement.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also responded to Mubarak's remarks, discussing the possibility that Iraq soon would form a government and then better address its security.

"Why I hesitate about saying there's civil war is because we're on the verge of seeing the beginning of a democratic and permanent government," Straw said on BBC television. "It is a high level of slaughter, so I understand why people are saying this. I also say that most people, most of the leaders in Iraq take a different view from President Mubarak."

Mubarak's comments followed warnings from other Arab leaders about Iran's intentions. More than a year ago, Jordan's King Abdullah II accused Iran of trying to affect events in Iraq and spoke of a "Shiite crescent" that could threaten Arab stability. Saudi Foreign Minister Saud bin al-Faisal also has voiced concerns.

Mohammed Salah, bureau chief of the London-based Al Hayat daily, said Mubarak expressed what many Arabs see.

"The Iraqi official response is artificial," Salah said Sunday. What Mubarak said is what Iraqi people say "in the privacy of their homes. Even though no one will actually come out and say them," Salah said.