BAGHDAD, Nov 26 (KUNA) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said here Saturday Iraq was afraid extremists might take over in Syria if Syrian President Assad's regime falls, according to a statement on the Iraqi presidential website.
"We are worried about the alternative (in Syria). We are afraid of the extremist party, if it replaces the old (one)," Talabani said in an interview with Iraqiya television, according to the statement.
"We are afraid that if extremist forces come to power, they would be hostile to democracy, hostile to Iraq, and even hostile to the Arab spring," he said.
The Iraqi leader reiterated his country's support for the peaceful political work for democracy and a civil constitutional government in Syria.
However, Talabani said that Iraq was against looming foreign military intervention in Syria.
"We are against armed Western intervention in (Syria's) internal affairs," Talabani said.
He also welcomed the Arab Spring and supported the struggle of Arab peoples for democracy and human rights.
Iraq was the only country to abstain from a November 12 vote to suspend Syria from the Arab League. Lebanon, Yemen and Syria voted against. (end) mhg.mt KUNA 262345 Nov 11NNNN