Bush, Cabinet fan out over Middle East while civil war fears escalate
11:31 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2006
President Bush is under pressure.
In Washington, politicians are calling for a new plan in Iraq.
In the Middle East, leaders say the region is on the verge of three civil wars.
As the sense of urgency increases, President Bush is headed to Jordan for talks with Iraq's Prime Minister, looking for solutions.
"We have to make sure that all parties in Iraq understand the dangers of the ongoing escalation," said Jordanian King Abdullah. "And they need to do it now, because, obviously, as we're seeing, things are beginning to spiral out of control."
The situation is grim. This week, the deadliest insurgent attack yet left 200 dead in Baghdad's Sadr City. Abdullah says the violence in Iraq is part of a regional crisis, with roots in the Palestinian-Isreali conflict. The Middle East is looking to the U.S. for a regional solution.
"They fear that the escalating security situation in Iraq, in Palestine, and in Lebanon could have spill over effects in their countries. They are terrified," said ABC News Middle East Consultant Fawaz Gerges. "They are trying to impress on American leaders the need to take action to address the fault lines in Iraq, in Palestine and in Lebanon."
The Bush administration has fanned out across the Middle East for diplomatic talks. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is meeting with the Egyptians. Vice Presient Dick Cheney was in Saudi Arabia. That's in addition to President Bush's trip to Jordan.
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