Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said it is Iraq's fault that the region is facing war. But he added a forced regime change was not the solution.
In a nationwide address Wednesday, Mubarak declared Iraq's big mistake was invading Kuwait in 1990. He stated that "opened the door widely" for an intensive foreign presence in the region.
"The first and most important (mistake) was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, which created many security fears for many of the states of the region, which opened the door widely for heavy foreign presence in our region," he said.
"I hope that the Iraqi government recognizes the dangerous situation it has put itself and us in, and that the international powers recognize the dangerous consequences of any military action on security and stability of Middle East countries as a whole," Mubarak said.
"The second of these mistakes is the absence of any true Iraqi effort to deal with the crisis of confidence which came about as a result of this aggression and its effects," he added.
Mubarak said Iraq could have done more over the past 12 years to regain the trust of its Arab neighbors as well as the international community.
"We are facing today exceptional circumstances which put on our shoulders major responsibilities to save the security and stability of the Arab region, after we made every possible effort at all levels to stop the deterioration of the situation," Mubarak said.
The Egyptian leader rejected calls for Saddam Hussein's ouster, calling that an internal matter. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
