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DOHA, March 5: Muslim states, some of which host US troops, said on Wednesday they “totally rejected” the anticipated US invasion of Iraq at the close of an extraordinary summit, during which Baghdad traded insults with Kuwait.
Muslim leaders declared “their total rejection of any strike on Iraq and any threat to the security of any Islamic state”, said a statement issued by the leaders of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
The statement called on Muslim countries to “refrain from taking part in any military action targeting the security and territorial integrity of Iraq or any Muslim nation”.
The declaration had to satisfy Iraq, Kuwait and summit host and current OIC chairman, Qatar, which is expected to serve as the command center of the anticipated US military action.
In Kuwait, nearly 140,000 US and British troops have already deployed in preparation for a possible invasion.
Other Gulf states also grant military facilities to the United States, which together with Britain has massed nearly 300,000 troops in the region.
Referring to US threats to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and reshape the Middle East, the OIC leaders said they opposed “any attempts to impose change in the region and interfere in its internal affairs”.
The Iraq crisis “should be resolved by peaceful means within the context of the United Nations”, the statement said.
IRAQ-KUWAIT ROW: Iraq was involved in a public row with the emirate during the summit.
Iraqi number two Ezzat Ibrahim hurled insults at Kuwait’s junior foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammad Sabah al-Sabah, when he interrupted him for accusing Kuwaiti leaders of “plotting with Zionism against Iraq”.
“You are small, a valet and a monkey,” Ibrahim charged.
“Shut up,” Sheikh Mohammad lashed back, prompting an appeal for calm and decorum from the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who had called the summit in a bid to forge a unified response to US threats to invade Iraq. —AFP
