Iraq on verge of a civil war: Russia

Moscow, Apr 22 (UNI) Russia today expressed serious concern over the current situation in Iraq, saying the country was now on the verge of a civil war.

''In Iraq, everything is on the verge of a civil war,'' Russian Foreign Ministry Middle East and North Africa Department Deputy Director Oleg Ozerov said in his remark at an international conference on global security.

''We are concerned over the stalemate in forming the government in Iraq. Our opinion is that it is for Iraqis themselves to make decisions regarding the formation of the government, without outside pressure,'' Mr Ozerov stressed.

He pointed out that ''national accord'' in Iraq would be hard to achieve without international efforts.

''Russia is prepared to provide assistance to all international initiatives that are being put forward to reach national accord in Iraq and is willing to put forward such initiatives itself,'' Mr Ozerov said.

UNI XC AD GC1939