BAGHDAD, March 19 (UPI) -- Civil war has become a reality in Iraq and is spiraling out of control, the country's former prime minister, Iyad Allawi told British media on Sunday.
"If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is," Allawi told the BBC.
His remarks contradict U.S. Defense Secretary John Reid, who has said those who predict Iraq is heading towards civil war are siding with the terrorists trying to destabilize the country.
"There is not civil war now, nor is it inevitable, nor is it imminent," Reid said last week.
However, Allawi insisted civil war had arrived in the form of sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
"It will not only fall apart, but sectarianism will spread throughout the region, and even Europe and the United States would not be spared all the violence that may occur as a result of sectarian problems in this region," Allawi said.
Iraq's newly-elected parliament is on shaky footing trying to form unity among majority Shiites and minority Sunnis and Kurds.
