Enough intervention!

By Naguib mahfouz

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A group of Iraqi writers and journalists visited me lately. The impression I got from them is that the ongoing resistance in Iraq is genuinely domestic for the most part, not an outcome of interference from countries neighbouring Iraq as some tend to believe. Therefore, I cannot support the view that Arab or Islamic forces should be sent to Iraq to confront the resistance. Such intervention could only increase the intensity of the confrontation and lead to an escalation of violence. Besides, such a move would create a situation that may involve inter-Arab fighting.

The last thing we need is to get embroiled in a new war. We have enough bloody conflicts going on in the Arab world as it is. The recent abduction of an Egyptian diplomat in Baghdad, subsequently released, is ample sign that the Iraqi resistance is opposed to Arab intervention in the country.

We want to see Iraq emerge from its current ordeal and the cycle of violence ended. But the solution should come from inside Iraq, not be imposed by Arab, Islamic, or other forces. The evacuation of the invading US troops could pave the way for the restoration of stability in Iraq. The dispatch of more foreign troops is likely to make things worse.

Based on an interview with Mohamed Salmawy.