DUBAI, April 8: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak told a television network on Saturday that most Shias across the Arab world are loyal to Iran first rather than the countries where they live. “There are Shias in all these countries (of the region), significant percentages, and Shias are mostly always loyal to Iran and not the countries where they live.”

He singled out Iraq for special attention. “Naturally Iran has an influence over Shias who make up 65 per cent of Iraq’s population,” Mr Mubarak said. —AFP

Opinion

Editorial

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