LOC23:45
20:45 GMT
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)
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KUNA 262345 Nov 11NNNN