Arab countries appeal for both sides to spare civilian lives

ARAB states appealed yesterday for both sides to spare civilian lives in the showdown between insurgents and US-led forces in Fallujah.

“To expose Iraqi or foreign civilians to danger in any place on Arab territory stirs dread,” said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheith after talks in Cairo with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari. “All measures must be adopted to prevent civilian deaths,” he said.

“A recourse to force that leads to civilian deaths is not acceptable for the international community or the United Nations, and it runs contrary to the rules of international law,” said Abul Gheith.