Terror threat rose after Iraq war: Global poll

Most people in three out of 35 countries worldwide believe that the US-led war in Iraq has increased the threat of terrorism.

Most people in three out of 35 countries worldwide believe that the US-led war in Iraq has increased the threat of terrorism, a survey for BBC World Service radio suggested on Tuesday.

HT Image

An average of 60 per cent in the 33 nations agreed that the March 2003 invasion had increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks, with just 12 per cent believing the opposite.

A further 15 per cent thought it had no effect.

The survey of 41,856 people by Canadian pollsters GlobeScan and the US Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) also claimed there was overall support in 20 countries for US forces to withdraw in the next few months.

But 21 of the 34 countries asked appeared in favour of troops staying in the region until stability is achieved, if the new Iraqi government requested it.

PIPA director Steven Kull said that despite the administration of US President George W Bush framing the intervention in Iraq as a means of fighting terrorism, "all around the world most people view it as having increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks.

Other responses suggested that 21 countries thought the removal of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was a mistake; overall, 45 per cent were against removing him from power while 36 per cent supported the action.