His Majesty King Abdullah said “any Iraqi government should be representative of all Iraqis regardless of religious sects or ethnic backgrounds.”



Stressing the importance of establishing a government that builds a better future for Iraq, the King said such a government must be able to preserve the “unity and character of Iraq.”



In an interview with the Kuwait-based Al Rai Al Aam, focusing on the upcoming elections in both Iraq and the Palestinian territories and other significant regional developments, King Abdullah spelled out Jordan's position, emphasising the Kingdom's respect for the sovereignty of other countries, the Hashemite history of pan-Arab stands and unity, and the country's support for its Arab brethren.



Asked about the debate generated by his recent comments on Iranian influence over a “Shiite crescent” in the region, King Abdullah said: “Our Arab world is witnessing interactions and reactions converging with political, security and sometimes religious and sectarian factors as well as narrow interests, that call for alertness and caution. That is what I meant.”



Rejecting charges that Jordan's position was anti-Shiite and motivated by a desire not to see a Shiite-dominated government in Iraq, the King said: “In no way can we be against the Shiites. They have supported Al al Bayt and we are from Al al Bayt. We have strong ties with Shiites in Lebanon, Iraq, the Gulf states and many in Iran, and we are keen to maintain the long-standing relations between Sunnis and Shiites, and we stand in the face of any faction seeking to undermine this distinguished relationship.”



More Iraqi interim government officials are calling for postponing January 30 elections to ensure a higher Sunni voter turnout, a sign that a campaign of violence might be taking its toll on Iraqi resolve. The country's electoral commission, however, insists that voting take place as scheduled. Sunni Arab clerics have called for a boycott and Iraq's largest Sunni political party announced it was pulling out of the race because of poor security. Shiite leaders of the Unified Iraqi Alliance, a mainstream Shiite coalition running in the election and one that is expected to do very well, called for talks to avert sectarianism and civil war. The Shiite leaders, who are backed by Iraq's most influential cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, reiterated the Shiite's staunch stance on going ahead with the elections as scheduled, saying postponing the vote would only create more chaos.



King Abdullah, meanwhile, said Jordan's relations with Iran are “good,” noting that there are certain parties who are trying to negatively affect these ties, taking advantage of his recent statements “to serve their own purposes.”



“They have taken our remarks about a Shiite crescent out of proposition,” King Abdullah told the daily, adding that the remarks were misinterpreted and taken out of context.



“It is the Iraqis who have the right to determine the future of their country through participation in the elections away from any foreign interference, which might result in a government that does not represent all Iraqis,” he said.



Abbas 'capable man'



The King told the paper the success of the elections in both Iraq and the Palestinian territories is likely to yield stability in the region and usher in a new era in this part of the world.



Like the Iraqis, the Palestinians have the right to elect their new leadership, the King said, adding that the current stage requires a “Palestinian leader who is capable of making courageous and confident steps, be an active partner in the peace process and realise the aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent viable state on their national soil.”



He said that Palestine Liberation Organisation chief and election favourite candidate Mahmoud Abbas is a “capable man who has a clear plan and a vision to consolidate all the security apparatuses and restructure the various Palestinian institutions as part of a comprehensive reform programme...”



Bringing Palestinian fighters on board will be the most important challenge for Abbas after Sunday's election, for which polls show that he is the overwhelming favourite.



Fighters have spurned calls from Abbas, to cease attacks that he says are useless because they draw heavy Israeli retaliation.



'Solid' ties



King Abdullah described Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations as “distinguished, solid, and at their best.” The King noted that there is continuous consultation and coordination between the leaderships in both countries on various issues of concern.



He underlined the fact that Kuwaiti investments in Jordan have totalled around JD500 million, noting that this figure is expected to grow with the implementation of planned joint projects such as a holding company, which will serve as an umbrella for several projects in various sectors.