The U.S. has no plans to strike at Iraq at present, but will focus its military operations against the terrorist organization Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and around the world until it is demolished and its leaders brought to justice, said U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice on Monday. Rice made the remarks via satellite to participants in conference on security issues held at a northern suburb of Tel Aviv.
The convention is attended by Israel's top security figures, including the defense minister, the Israel Defense Force's chief-of-staff, and the heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet security service.
According to the Tel Aviv-based Haaretz daily, Rice also addressed U.S. policy towards Palestinian terror in Israel. "You can't fight Al Qaeda and at the same time, hug Hamas and Hezbollah," conveyed Rice.
When asked by one of the participants whether the next stage in the war against terror will involve a war against Iraq, Rice responded that despite the fact that Iraq poses a threat to the stability of the Middle East and even to the United States, plans for attacking Iraq are not being considered at present. (Albawaba.com)
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