Ever since the invasion of Iraq by the US, some seven years ago, on the pretext that the former possessed weapons of mass destruction, the Iraqi citizens have not witnessed even a minute degree of stability and security till today.

The wave of violence and mayhem shows no sign of abatement and despite all talks of heightened security steps we continue to hear of explosions, massacres and all kinds of casualties on a daily basis.

The most intriguing question is how the terrorists find their way to the Green Zone in Baghdad, where the buildings of the ministries and other vital government departments are situated and how they are able to trigger explosions at will in such a heavily fortified area.

Doesn't this seemingly paradoxical phenomenon smack of the US force's machinations to keep the violence graph surging in Iraq apparently in tandem with a carefully planned agenda and in pursuit of a clear-cut goal?

We are well aware of the fact that Iraq is under the evil grip of a number of external and internal forces that seek to promote their own vested interests at the cost of the security and stability of Iraq and to the detriment of the Iraqi citizens who have already gone through nightmarish scenarios of violence, bloodshed, loss of human lives, wanton destruction of farmlands and all other kinds of property and material assets. On top of all these, the postwar Iraq is now suffering an acute problem of impotency of their married couples due to the ingestion of chemicals used in war, which will ultimately result in a steep decline in population.

It appears that those who are behind this dirty game have a malevolent goal to keep Iraq mired in violence and instability forever.

In the light of such unprepossessing background, we feel that it is the responsibility of all Arabs to wade in and help their Iraqi brothers tide over their pitiable plight. The Arab countries which backed the US invasion of Iraq on flimsy grounds are duty-bound to lend a helping hand to save the Iraqi citizens from the vortex of seemingly unending miseries that they find themselves in.

All Arabs have to support Iraq in every possible way they can in the light of their strong brotherhood bonds and also in view of the fact that the stability of Iraq is, in effect, the stability of all Arab countries. Furthermore, if such predatory powers are allowed to continue their vicious stranglehold on Iraq, the day may not be far off when they turn their tentacles to other Arab countries as well.

Therefore, it is imperative that the Iraqi national parties and various religious sects plump for a genuine reconciliation process, pool their resources and efforts and work for the betterment of their country. Such steps will certainly help promote the interests of Iraq and its citizens who crave an independent matrix to lead their lives untrammeled by outside interference and enjoy their political rights under peaceful and secure conditions.

We see Iraq as a strategic gate of the Arab countries. Aware of this fact, the US and Israel are bound to do all they can to emaciate Iraq - a country which is vital for the security of Arab nations - and keep it under their thumb. The Arabs should wise up to this grim reality and take all the steps needed to rescue Iraq from the clutches of their enemies; by doing so, the Arabs would be ensuring their own security as well.

The Iraqi national parties and religious sects have to support the freedom and sovereignty of their country, obviating every shred of justification that provides the occupiers with an excuse to continue their presence in Iraq and meddle in its internal affairs, something which will only further escalate divisions in Iraqi society.

- Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali is chairman & editor in chief Times of Oman.