MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax-AVN) - The latest terrorist attack in Iraq, in which 160 people were killed, indicates that tensions are escalating in all areas of the country's life, Anatoly Safonov, the Russian president's envoy on international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and cross-border organized crime, told Interfax on Friday.
"It is not a question of continuing instability. The point is that tensions are mounting in all areas. There is already a fuse and explosive ordnance for an explosion in Iraq. Various factors are acting as a detonator. The future scenario is increasingly alarming," he said.
"There was thin hope that relations between the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds would not deteriorate. But this factor has begun working as well. All this indicates that a critical point has been reached that risks splitting Iraq into three sectors and triggering chaos in society," Safonov said.
International terrorists and other resistance forces that are not linked to Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups have stepped up their activities in Iraq, the official said. The death sentence handed down to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has already contributed to tensions in the country, he said.
International efforts are needed to restore order in Iraq, Safonov said.
"When we cautioned about a possible escalation of tensions, they did not hear us or did not want to hear. Someone simplified the situation. But it does not matter today. The international community should join forces and consolidate its efforts to search for the most optimal way out of the situation and to restore stability," he said.