Last update - 00:00 14/01/2008
Damascus slams Arab leaders for allowing Bush's 'criticism of Syria'
By DPA
A newspaper affiliated with the Syrian government on Monday slammed Arab regimes who tolerated U.S. President George W Bush's "criticism of Syria" in their own lands and what they branded "the indirect war" that Bush is drumming up.
Syrian analysts said Bush used the Arab countries' podiums during his multi-nation tour in the region to isolate Syria and orchestrate a war scenario against Iran.
The main strategic concerns of the visit is focused around enticing further hostility against Iran and securing the interests of
"the Jewish community," read a front-page column in the Syrian Daily
al-Thawra al-Islamiya.
The newspaper added that Bush's plan for the Middle East has
"clearly no intentions to implement peace."
After visiting the Palestinian territories and Israel for the first time since he took office, Bush embarked upon a tour of Gulf States that so far has taken him to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and finally Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The leader is also expected in the Red Sea Resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
During his talks, Bush used strong language to urge Arab states to unite against Iran and its nuclear ambitions, labeling the non-Arab Muslim country "a security threat" to the Middle East and the world.
He also urged his allies to support his recent efforts in the Middle East peace process and to huddle around President Mahmoud Abbas during his talks with Israel.
Bush's open statements against Iran however had sparked regional
concern. According to observers, none of the Arab countries, including US top friend Saudi Arabia, are keen on a war against Iran.
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