Former U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell told a business conference in the United Arab Emirates yesterday that the war in Iraq "could be considered a civil war."
Powell made the comment during a question-and-answer session after a keynote speech, according to David Hellaby, who organized the forum.
Powell could not be immediately reached for comment.
The retired general's comments are in sharp contrast to those of U.S. President George W. Bush.
Yesterday, a total of 105 people were killed or found dead across Iraq.
According to Hellaby, Powell said the war had three phases. The invasion phase went as planned. But the second phase, the military occupation, was "badly handled." Mistakes during the second phase led to the third, "which could be considered a civil war." |