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Fear of Iran Driving Push for Peace

Arab leaders at conference unified by mounting extremist threats in Mideast

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2007 3:19 AM CST

(Newser) – Fear of Iran and Islamic extremism is the catalyst that's bringing together delegates at the Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, the New York Times reports. Sunni Arab leaders see their young people becoming radicalized and Iran's influence expanding, and fear the region could be transformed in new and dangerous ways. Iran has strongly condemned the peace talks.

"Everybody at Annapolis has something in common," said one US politician. "It's fear of Iran." The Israeli-Palestinian issue is the main force driving extremism in the region and there are hopes that the new unity of purpose may lead to a lasting peace.

Members of the Basij paramilitary group, a powerful volunteer militia directed by the Revolutionary Guards, demonstrate against Jordan and other Middle-Eastern countries' involvement in the Annapolis Middle-East peace conference, in front of Jordan's embassy in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. Sign at left in Farsi reads The Supreme Leader...
Members of the Basij paramilitary group, a powerful volunteer militia directed by the Revolutionary Guards, demonstrate against Jordan and other Middle-Eastern countries' involvement in the Annapolis...   (Associated Press)
A moving billboard supporting the Mideast peace talks drives past the state house in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
A moving billboard supporting the Mideast peace talks drives past the state house in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)   (Associated Press)
U.S President Bush, center, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, stand outside during their meeting at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. Opening a high-stakes Mideast peace conference, President Bush announced a joint agreement among Israeli...
U.S President Bush, center, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, stand outside during their meeting at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.,...   (Associated Press)
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