AP Interview: Iraqi minister doubts escalating violence will lead to sectarian or civil war
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Iraq's foreign minister says he doubts the escalating violence in the country will lead to "an all-out sectarian or civil war."
Hoshyar Zebari gave several reasons in an interview Saturday with The Associated Press: the Shiite, Sunni and other communities "know their limits;" the violence is limited mainly to Baghdad and its suburbs; and Sunni and Shiite religious leaders have edicts against killing each other's followers.
More than 4,500 people have been killed since April in a surge of violence by insurgents aimed at undermining confidence in the government. The growing unrest has intensified fears of renewed war between Shiites and Sunnis.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Zebari said the United States has responded positively to Iraq's request for military equipment and counterterrorism and intelligence assistance, but a request for drones is still "being processed."