Russia withraws ambassadors from Washington over Iraq aggression

Russian President Boris Yeltsin and his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin discussed in a phone conversation the situation in the Arab Gulf region after the start of the current US - British military operation against Iraq.

The two presidents' views were in agreement. They described the operation as totally unacceptable, unilateral and contradictory to UN resolutions and international law.

Earlier a Kremlin source quoted Yeltsin as expressing anger and deep concern over the attacks on Iraq, stressing that the military intervention is a direct threat to the international security. For his part, the head of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Gennadiy Zyuganov commented on Washington and London's attack and said, before the Russian Duma (Parliament): "A united front must be formed to confront those who are ready to start a third world war." Russia withdrew its ambassadors from the US and Britain in the strongest show of protest against the actions of both countries.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Muhammad said he strongly objected to the US - British raids on Iraq.

In Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the ambassador of Switzerland (which takes care of US interests) and the British charge d'affairs. The ministry lodged a strong complaint against a missile which fell over Khorram Shahr town, in southwestern Iran.

In a statement, Egypt asserted the need to adopt an active position to contain the current crisis in order to protect stability in the region. Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid said in press statements on Thursday that "This strike won't solve the existing problems between Iraq and the UN."

Abdul Meguid on Thursday received a message from Russian Foreign Minister Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov concerning the Russian position toward the current US - British attacks against Iraq.

The message was conveyed by the Russian ambassador to Egypt during his meeting with AL Assistant Secretary General Daw Swidan on Thursday.

The message comes in the framework of continued contacts between the AL and the UN Security Council's permanent members on the US - British attacks against Iraq.