Saudi accused of helping topple Assad

Leading figures in the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, headed by Ammar Al-Hakim, have accused Saudi Arabia of supporting Salafi rebels to usurp governmental power in Syria. They also warned against a future war between Iraq and what Hakim described as "newcomers in the neighbouring country". A leader in the Islamic Supreme Council told ‘Arabstoday’ that the Council has evidence proving Saudi Arabia’s support for extremists, of which some are Salafis, to topple the regime of embattled Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in Syria and power a Salafi current in Syria capable of putting an end to the tide of growing Shiite influence in Iraq and Lebanon. The leader, who requested anonymity, added that this support could lead to a future war between Syria and Iraq, if Salafis are in charge, causing the whole region to enter a state of chaos that would be difficult to control. Hamid Al-Me'ela, the delegate for the Supreme Council in the Iraqi parliament denied that this was the Supreme Council’s point of view, but rather the personal opinion of some of its leaders. The Council spokesman said to ‘Arabstoday’ that they were watching the rapid changes happening in the Arab countries with concern, as consequences are bound to affect the entire region. For example, changes witnessed in Iraq had dire consequences like the considerable increase in armed extremist groups in Iraq, causing widespread destruction and suffering for many. Me'ela stated that despite the Supreme Council’s pride of being Shiite, it looked up to new democratic governments arising in Arab countries, forming united fronts that guaranteed their citizens' wellbeing. The Council observed that the shift from totalitarianism was regardless of sectarian affiliations, and planned to improve services and economic growth to achieve what the Arab youth aspires for. Me’ela explained that the position of the Supreme Council was supporting the Iraqi government's responsibility for its own stands concerning regional changes and planning its foreign politics, stressing that all political blocs should be supporting the government’s position. He clarified that Iraq had its own share of problems, enough to make intervention in other problems seem quite dispensable, while the country goes through a sensitive stage represented by the US troops withdrawal. "Iraqis will soon face the tough test of running their own affairs and lead the Iraqi ship to a safe shore," said Me'ela.