Muslim leaders warn of trouble

ISLAMABAD - As United States forces took up positions around the world yesterday, Islamic countries warned against any unilateral retribution for attacks on the US that could sow the seeds of another whirlwind of violence.

With the British Foreign Secretary and the European Union beginning trips to the Middle East and Asia yesterday, Islamic leaders also urged a halt to Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

Iran and Syria said any unilateral "anti-terrorism" offensive would have grave ramifications and should be under the United Nations, Iran's official news agency, IRNA, said.

"If the US attacks Afghanistan, the crisis will grow," IRNA quoted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as saying in a telephone conversation with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Iran and Syria, both on Washington's list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism, have condemned the assault on US symbols of power and wealth.

Diplomats and analysts say an offensive against Afghanistan might provoke attacks on American interests in pro-Western Gulf Arab countries and moderate Muslim countries in Asia.

Analysts said Saudi Arabia and some of its Gulf allies felt embarrassed by popular support in their countries for bin Laden.

"They must get something in return," said Abdelbari Atwa, editor of the London-based al-Qods. "The West, particularly the US, must realise that terrorism has political roots. The Arab-Israel conflict and failure to achieve a just settlement is also an embarrassment."

In Jakarta, a series of explosions that rocked the parking lot of a busy shopping centre on Sunday was probably the handiwork of a Malaysian group Kuala Lumpur said received training in Afghan guerrilla camps.

The blasts caused moderate damage but no casualties.

Police have said the Malaysian group was also involved in Muslim-Christian clashes in Indonesia's Molucca islands, where thousands have died in more than two years of savage violence.

Sunday's blasts followed threats of violence by Indonesian Muslim radicals if Washington attacks Afghanistan.

Indonesian police have assigned snipers to protect the US embassy, which told its citizens to "exercise maximum caution" after receiving information that extremists may be targeting US interests in Indonesia.

- REUTERS

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