Iraq on brink of refugee crisis, say Irish MEPs

WITH or without a US-led war to remove Saddam Hussein, Iraq is on the edge of a humanitarian crisis, according to a group of MEPs visiting the country.

The UN yesterday warned that they expect at least 600,000 refugees to try to leave the country if a war begins. There are already 100,000 refugees inside Iraq escaping from situations in Iran and Turkey.

Irish MEPs Proinsias de Rossa and Patricia McKenna are with a group of 30 European Parliamentarians visiting Iraq.