Iraq group says conflict 'grave and deteriorating'

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A report by a bipartisan panel on Iraq, handed to President George W. Bush, said the crisis in the country is "grave and deteriorating", according to a copy obtained by AFP. "The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating," warned the report, which added however "there is no path that can guarantee success but the prospects can be improved." It said: "If the situation continues to deteriorate, the consequences will be severe." The report said: "A slide toward chaos could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe.

Neighboring countries could intervene. "Sunni-Shia clashes could spread while Al-Qaeda could win a propaganda victory and expand its base of operations. The global standing of the United States could be...