Iraq warns of unforeseen effects of Syria strike

BAGHDAD: Iraq's prime minister is warning that an outside military strike on neighboring Syria could have unforeseen consequences, and says United Nations inspectors should have a chance to report their findings on allegations of chemical weapons use.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in a televised address today that any decision to strike before the UN investigators release their findings would be "hasty." He says the world should wait for the results of the probe before the "party responsible is held accountable."

Al-Maliki reiterated Iraq's opposition to foreign involvement in the conflict. He says the backers of a military strike will not be able to control its effects.

Baghdad is official neutral in Syria's civil war, but Iraq's Shiite-led government fears it could suffer if Syria's mainly Sunni rebels are victorio