Arabs in spat

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Leaders of Arab countries failed to agree on a united policy toward Iraq this week, as their summit meeting degenerated into name-calling. While the Arab states said they “totally reject any attack on Iraq,” several of them will nevertheless allow U.S. troops to use their bases and territory for such an attack, as Saudi Arabia did in the last Gulf War. Citing that past cooperation, Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi accused Saudi Arabia of “striking an alliance with the devil.” Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah interrupted him angrily, saying, “Saudi Arabia is not an agent of colonialism. Who exactly brought you to power?” As the argument heated up, the crown prince shouted, “You are a liar and your grave awaits you!” Egyptian state television then abruptly cut off the broadcast.

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