Livni's #1 fan - from Iraq

As foreign minister attempts to gain support of public figures ahead of Kadima primary, her office received letter from Iraqi author saying he 'prays to God Livni becomes Israel's prime minister'
Roee Nahmias

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has received surprising support for her election bid to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as Kadima chairperson – from Iraq of all places.

The Foreign Ministry recently received a letter through its Arabic-language website from an Iraqi author and researcher asking to express his enthusiastic support for the Israeli minister.

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"I pray to God that Minister Livni becomes Israel's prime minister, and then the world in general and the Middle East in particular would be better off," wrote the author, whose name has not been revealed.

"The minister's knowledge and diplomatic wisdom are a guarantee that she can lead the State of Israel to rule the world. These, alongside her dedication ad modesty, are skills for sensible leadership," the letter said.

Addressing the prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hizbullah, which included the release of Lebanese murderer Samir Kuntar, the Iraqi author said that "compared to the Arab regimes, we can see the State of Israel is a pioneer in terms of human rights.

"Samir Kuntar left the Israeli prison with the title of Dr., after being ignorant and illiterate. He came out safe and sound despite his attacks against Israel, and I ask him – in what other Arab regime would he be treated this way? All these accomplishments were made during Minister Livni's tenure."