Egypt's Ambassador to the United States, Nabil Fahmy, says accused terrorist Osama bin Laden is distorting Islam to his advantage to attack civil society.
Appearing on the U-S television program "Face the Nation" today (Sunday), Mr. Fahmy said the international community must work together to fight terrorism.
Ambassador Fahmy said if he had a choice, he would stop the U-S-led bombing campaign during Ramadan. However, he said it is a difficult call because the terrorist threat continues to exist in the world.
Mr. Fahmy said Egypt supports the U-S-led war on terrorism. But when asked if the United States were to include Iraq in its efforts to fight terrorism, Mr. Fahmy said, in his words, "let's not pile up agendas."
Iraq invaded Kuwait in August, 1990, and a massive U-S-led offensive forced Iraq's withdrawal. However, the United States still views Iraq as a rogue nation.
U-S and British planes have been patrolling zones over southern and northern Iraq for more than nine years to deny Iraq the ability to mount air strikes against rebellious Kurds and Shi'ite Muslims.