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Jordan's king warns of civil wars Jordan's king warns of civil wars
(about 1 hour later)
Jordan's King Abdullah has warned that three civil wars could break out in the Middle East unless the international community takes urgent action.Jordan's King Abdullah has warned that three civil wars could break out in the Middle East unless the international community takes urgent action.
Speaking on American television, he said conflicts in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories risked spinning out of control. Speaking on US TV, he said conflicts in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories could spin out of control.
King Abdullah is due to meet both the US president and the Iraqi prime minister in Jordan later this week. King Abdullah is this week hosting both the US president and the Iraqi prime minister for talks against a backdrop of escalating violence in Iraq.
He said the core issue in the region was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The issue will also feature when the Iraqi president visits Iran on Monday.
"We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," King Abdullah told ABC television. The trip was due to take place at the weekend, but was delayed due to the curfew imposed after a series of deadly car bombings in Baghdad last week.
"It is time that we really take a strong step forward as part of the international community and make sure we avert the Middle East from a tremendous crisis that I fear and I see could possibly happen in 2007." They were the bloodiest attacks since the US-led invasion of 2003.
Big pictureBig picture
"We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," King Abdullah told ABC television.
Lebanon's industry minister Pierre Gemayel was killed on Tuesday"It is time that we really take a strong step forward as part of the international community and make sure we avert the Middle East from a tremendous crisis that I fear and I see could possibly happen in 2007."
A tentative ceasefire for the Gaza Strip is currently in place, but King Abdullah said the central issue in the region remained the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Palestine is the core," he said. "It is linked to the extent of what's going on in Iraq."
"It is linked to what's going on in Lebanon. It is linked to the issues that we find ourselves with the Syrians. So, if you want to do comprehensive - comprehensive means bringing all the parties of the region together."
Tensions in Lebanon between pro- and anti-Syrian groups in parliament have also escalated recently with the killing on Tuesday of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.
Bigger picture
King Abdullah will host US President George W Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Amman later this week.King Abdullah will host US President George W Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Amman later this week.
He said the US should look at the big picture in seeking a resolution to the problems in Iraq and bring in all of the region, including Syria and Iran.He said the US should look at the big picture in seeking a resolution to the problems in Iraq and bring in all of the region, including Syria and Iran.
America needs to look at it in the total picture - it's not just one issue by itself King Abdullah of JordanAmerica needs to look at it in the total picture - it's not just one issue by itself King Abdullah of Jordan
He said if a regional peace process did not develop soon, "there won't be anything to talk about".He said if a regional peace process did not develop soon, "there won't be anything to talk about".
"America needs to look at it in the total picture. It's not just one issue by itself."
Pressure is growing on the Bush administration to include Iran and Syria in helping curb the violence in neighbouring Iraq.Pressure is growing on the Bush administration to include Iran and Syria in helping curb the violence in neighbouring Iraq.
Last week, Syria restored diplomatic ties with Baghdad after a long freeze.Last week, Syria restored diplomatic ties with Baghdad after a long freeze.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad invited Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to Tehran for talks that have been delayed by the security crisis in Baghdad. The Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is also heading for Tehran on Monday for talks that have been delayed by the security crisis in Baghdad, where more than 200 people were killed on Thursday in a series of attacks.
More than 200 people were killed on Thursday in a series of car bombings and mortar attacks on the predominantly-Shia Sadr City district.
Core issue
On Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his government would be prepared to assist if the US stops "bullying" Tehran, which rejects Washington's allegations that it is seeking to build nuclear weapons.On Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his government would be prepared to assist if the US stops "bullying" Tehran, which rejects Washington's allegations that it is seeking to build nuclear weapons.
Lebanon's industry minister Pierre Gemayel was killed on TuesdayKing Abdullah said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains at the core of the Middle East.
"It is linked to the extent of what's going on in Iraq," he said.
"It is linked to what's going on in Lebanon. It is linked to the issues that we find ourselves with the Syrians.
Israel and the Palestinian have reached a ceasefire with the Palestinians over Gaza.
Tensions in Lebanon between pro- and anti-Syrian groups in parliament have escalated recently with the killing on Tuesday of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.
Lebanon's cabinet gave final approval on Saturday to a plan for an international tribunal to try suspects in the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.