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Arab groups warn summit about civil wars

CAIRO, March 27 (UPI) -- Arab-rights groups warned Arab leaders about the eruption of civil wars in the region if they continue to avoid political and democratic reforms.

Some 36 non-government advocacy organizations from 11 Arab countries said in a statement Tuesday they feared if the Arab regimes continued to ignore the aspirations of their people for democracies, civil and sectarian wars will eventually erupt.

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The groups urged leaders of 22 Arab states meeting at a two-day summit, which convenes Wednesday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to present a "real commitment to give priority to political reform and democratic changes." They called for clear programs, with specific timetables, to guarantee substantial progress for comprehensive constitutional and legislative reforms and "spreading the culture of democracy."

The organizations pointed out civil strife in Iraq, fighting in Yemen, violations in Darfur in western Sudan and another looming civil war in Lebanon. "Indications suggest a number of countries, starting with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Syria, are on the verge of more sectarian tensions that might be violent in nature," the groups warned.

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