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Arab countries are opposed to a unilateral U.S. operation in Iraq; they support a peaceful solution and an implementation of all U.N. resolutions. Unilateral operations cannot have positive results on the region at large because one cannot control the outcome or consequences of war. Arab are skeptical about the pending war on Iraq because of dissonant views on the issues such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the American belief that democracy will rise in the region, the role of the United Nations in the region, and concern about which country will be next.

U.S. selectivity in determining who should and who should not have WMD is a cause for concern. Although the U.S. cites Iraqi possession and possible use of WMD as its main reason for launching an attack, Ambassador Abboud noted that it is not pursuing similar military policies with others who possess WMD, such as Israel and North Korea.

Arabs do not believe that regime change in Iraq through military action will lead to greater democracy in the region. Instead, they feel that democracy must develop internally and "without outside interference," stated Ambassador Abboud. They are skeptical about the new U.S. policy of promoting democratic regimes. Lebanon is also concerned that a war lacking United Nations approval creates problems for the rule of international law. Although the U.N. operates at a slower pace than is desirable to the U.S., it is important that the principle of working within the system of the United Nations be upheld.

Arabs fear a second war on Iraq might be both part of a process of political engineering in the region and also excuse to postpone resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Arab states and the U.S. have adopted the idea of a two-state solution, but Lebanon fears that the current Israeli government's policies are focused on delaying or even rendering impossible the creation of a Palestinian state.

Lebanon has experienced economic growth and is promoting stability internally and in the region. The Taif Accords were a political solution designed to end the war and restore stability. U.S. calls for the Lebanese government to arrest members of Hizbollah for acts committed against civilians during the civil war would require that the Lebanese government violate the Taif Accords. Hizbollah is a political party that continues its struggle against Israeli occupation. It maintains a relationship with Iran but is not a "push button" for either Iran or Syria. Lebanon will not attack anyone or escalate tensions with Israel over the occupied Shebaa Farms during this war with Iraq. Israel has and continues to openly follow a policy of attacking civilians deliberately as cited in reports by groups such as Human Rights Watch.

An attack on Iraq will adversely affect world oil prices and the Lebanese economy. Roughly 30% of all Lebanese exports go to Iraq through the UN Oil for Food Program, which have stopped due to the war. H.E. Abboud predicted that the Lebanese economy will likely overcome any setbacks resulting from this war.