Moussa reiterated backing to reforms in the Arab world "on condition that they not be dictated from abroad, but decided by the countries" of the region

CAIRO, November 6 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa lashed out Thursday, November 6, at a senior Pentagon general for his recent anti-Islam remarks, and pressed Arab countries to shun the top American brass.

U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence General William Boykin had recently claimed that Muslims worship "an idol" and cast the war on terrorism as a battle between Christianity and Islam, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"This American official must not set foot in any Arab or Islamic country," stressed the chief of the pan-Arab organization.

Moussa also defended outgoing Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was accused of anti-Semitism for a speech in which he said that "Jews rule the world by proxy."

Mahathir "did not attack Jews, but Israeli policy," said Moussa, the former Egyptian foreign minister.

"flagrant"

The Arab League chief blamed mounting anti-American sentiment in the region on Washington's "flagrant" bias toward Israel not its support for authoritarian Arab governments.

"The reason for Arab hatred of the United States is the flagrant bias of 99.9 percent of Americans toward Israel, who have ended their role of honest broker in the Arab-Israeli peace process."

Moussa reiterated backing to reforms around the Arab world "on condition that they not be dictated from abroad, but decided by the countries" of the region.

Addressing the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy, U.S. President George Bush stressed Thursday that advancing freedom and democracy in the Middle East is "the calling of our time and our country".

Iraqi Visit

Meanwhile, Moussa confirmed that the Arab League will send a high-level delegation to Iraq for the first time since the U.S.-led occupation of the oil-rich Arab country.

An Arab League official said Wednesday, November 5, that the delegation would make the trip next week but Moussa said it would take place after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, likely to end in Egypt on November 25.

Moussa said the delegation would meet members of the U.S.-installed interim Governing Council as well as party and tribal officials, and religious dignitaries.

On September 10, the Arab League agreed to let the Governing Council take Iraq's seat on a provisional basis pending the formation of a legitimate government.