Iraq warns of Syrian 'proxy war'

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Thursday warned that arming Syrian rebels could result in a "proxy war," as leaders from the Arab League met for a summit in Baghdad.

"Based on our experience in Iraq, the option to arm either side of the conflict will lead to a regional and international proxy war in Syria," Maliki warned. "This option will prepare the ground for foreign military intervention in Syria and so infringe on the sovereignty of a brother Arab country."

Arab leaders decided to drop their demands for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has led a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters that the UN estimates has killed more than 9,000 people since the conflict began a year ago.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby called on the Assad regime to "immediately and fully" implement a peace plan put forward by UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan, including a withdrawal of security forces from Syrian protest areas and a daily two-hour humanitarian cease-fire.

"This plan represents a positive development that can be built on," Elaraby told the summit. "The solution for the crisis is still in the hands of the Syrians as a government and opposition."

Syria has flatly refused to adhere to any of the summit's initiatives. The Arab League suspended Syria's membership last year.

Many snub summit

The meeting was the Arab League's first in the Iraqi capital in more than 20 years, and marked the first return of a Kuwaiti head of state - Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah - since former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

However the summit was marred by poor attendance, with fewer than half of the 22 members sending their heads of state to represent them. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both of whom support the Arab League calling for Assad to step down, sent lower-level envoys.

Those delegates in attendance addressed a number of topics ranging from economic problems facing the group to Arab-Israeli relations.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the group to follow up on pledges of financial support to the Palestinian Authority, which he said is in a "difficult financial situation" in an interview with the Associated Press.

Strong security presence

Security was tight in Baghdad for the summit, with a reported 100,000 security personnel on watch around the city. Iraq is keen to avoid any disruptions due to bombing attacks, which are still relatively common.

Last week, a series of bomb attacks by al-Qaeda killed 50 people around the country. A blast of mortar hit near the Iranian embassy near where the summit was taking place, but there were no casualties reported.

Iraq invested around $500 million (375 million euros) on infrastructure projects and venue upgrades for the summit.

acb, mz/msh (AP, AFP)