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Arab League chief warns of war fallout

ATHENS APRIL 1. The secretary-general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, said on Monday that a spillover of war from Iraq to its neighbours could cause havoc across a region already ``engulfed in extreme anger.''

Mr. Moussa's remarks follow a stern warning by the United States that Syria is helping Iraq militarily and supporting terrorism. ``The situation is already serious with the war in Iraq, so you can just imagine how serious it will be, and how dangerous it will be, if it spills over to other places''.

Mr. Moussa was in Greece for a one-day visit and meetings with the Premier, Costas Simitis, and the Foreign Minister, George Papandreou. ``The region is already engulfed in extreme anger and agitation because of what's going on in Iraq and what is going on in Palestine. More than that, it will sow havoc across the region,'' Mr. Moussa said.

``At the same time, any spread of the conflict... would affect the security in the Mediterranean.''

On Friday, the U.S. Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, accused Syria of sending military equipment, including night-vision goggles, to Iraqi forces. Mr. Rumsfeld's remarks were followed up by the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, who said Iran must stop its drive for weapons of mass destruction and Syria must end its support for terrorism. Mr. Moussa, a former Egyptian Foreign Minister, is an outspoken critic of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. — AP

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