Reuters, 06 February 2006
Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr met Syrian leaders on Monday and said the United States and Israel were trying to spread strife among Arab countries.
Sadr, who led two anti-U.S. uprisings in Iraq, expressed support for Syria, which is facing western pressure over its alleged support for rebels in Iraq and the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.
"Both Iraq and Syria are under U.S. pressure. We have good relations but our common enemies, Israel, the United States and Britain, are trying to spread strife among us. The people will not fall for this," he told reporters.
"I will help Syria in every way. We are witnessing Islamic solidarity," said Sadr, who met President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara.
Sadr swiftly rose to prominence after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, benefiting from the widespread respect for his late father, a prominent religious leader, and gaining support from downtrodden Shi'ites in Baghdad and southern cities.
Last month Sadr visited mostly Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and met Saudi King Abdullah. He is expected to visit Lebanon after Syria.
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Citation: "Iraq's Sadr says US spreading strife among Arabs," Reuters, 06 February 2006.
Original URL: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060206/ts_nm/syria_iraq_sadr_dc
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