 Iraq's interior minister lashed out angrily at Saudi Arabia, rejecting its accusations that Iran now dominates his country, and accusing the Saudis of discriminating against their own Shiites. Interior Minister Bayan Jabr went as far as saying Iraq will not accept "a Bedouin on a camel teaching us about human rights and democracy. In Iraq, we are proud of our civilization."
| Man! That's some smooth diplomacy! |
The scathing attack - the latest in a series of squabbles between Shiite-controlled Iraq and its Sunni Arab neighbors - were certain to increase tensions as foreign ministers of eight Arab countries met in the Saudi port city of Jeddah to discuss plans to help Iraq restore its security. Last week, the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said U.S. policy had deepened sectarian tensions in Iraq to the extent that the country was effectively being handed over to Iran. Jabr rejected the Saudi claim during a visit to Jordan, saying: "Saudi Arabia has other motives to launch such accusations."
| Now, why would he say that? |
"Saudi Arabia has its own problems. There are four million Shiites who are treated as third-class citizens," he said. "Let them give the right to their women to at least drive cars. Their women are deprived of their rights while the women in our country are equal to men." He also called the Saudis "tyrants who think they are king and God, and they name their countries after their families."
| Makes silk look rough and abrasive, doesn't he? |
Iran has also rejected the Saudi charges, accusing the Saudi foreign minister of "meddling" in Iraqi affairs. |