Sectarian accusations fly in Iraq's parliament

[ECH1969]

Sectarian tensions that are pushing Iraq to the brink of civil war erupted in parliament on Tuesday when two prominent figures from Shi'ite and Sunni Arab parties traded angry accusations of inciting violence.

In an unusually heated exchange in parliament shown on live television, Jalal al-Deen al-Saghir of the Shi'ite Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) clashed with outspoken Sunni Arab politician Adnan al-Dulaimi.

Saghir complained that Shi'ites living in two mainly Sunni neighbourhoods in Baghdad, Adil and Jamiaa, were enduring violence that was driving them to seek the protection of militias and "opening the door to those who want revenge". "What has happened will open the gates of hell," Saghir said.

A furious Dulaimi said he was treated with disrespect "like Iranians and Jews".

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