Patriarch of Moscow on Possible Outbreak of Tension in Iraqi Society

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis II does not rule out outbreak of tension in Iraqi society.

Breaking the traditional way of life "can engender tension in the society already hurt by the military defeat," the Patriarch said.

He also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Iraq. "It is absolutely evident that the coming to power of the new civil administration will not automatically resolve the serious problems caused by destruction of life support systems during the war. Reconstruction and development of peaceful life will take many years. The problems of post-war devastation have been added to the previous sufferings of the Iraqis caused by economic sanctions and the war," Alexis II added.

In connection with this, the Moscow Patriarch pointed to "a special worth of the humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people sent, in particular, by the Russian government in the cause of restoring normal life" in Iraq. He hopes that international organisations, first of all the UN, will take an active part in Iraq's post-war reconstruction.