‘Iran destabilising entire Middle East’

Former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi yesterday accused Iran of trying to “wreak havoc” across the entire Middle East and interfering in Iraq’s political process.

In an interview with CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” Mr Allawi said the region was “falling victim” to extremist groups financed by Tehran.

“We know that unfortunately Iran is trying to wreak havoc on the region, and trying to destabilize the region by destabilising Iraq, and destabilising Lebanon and destabilising the Palestinian issue,” Mr Allawi said.

“And this is where unfortunately Iraq and the rest of the greater Mideast is falling victim to these terrorists who are definitely Iran-financed and supported by various governments in the region.”

Mr Allawi’s Iraqiya political bloc earned 91 seats in Iraq’s March 7 elections. two more than the State of Law alliance headed by current Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The two parties have been locked in a battle for control of the 325-member Council of Representatives, shuffling through potential coalitions that could win them power.

Mr Allawi, a moderate Shiite whose political grouping at-tracted support from Sunnis, said Iran was interfering in Iraq’s political process.

“Definitely in Iraq I can say categorically that Iran is trying even to bring about change to the political process according to their wishes and requirements.”

He declined to directly accuse Tehran of a hand in a recent deadly attack on members of Iraqiya, saying there were various parties “who are trying to sabotage the political process.”