In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor CEO & Editor-at-Large Andrew Parasiliti, Dr. Ali Aldabbagh, spokesman for the government of Iraq and a close adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said that Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi is "connected directly to groups who killed, assassinated and performed terrorism." Aldabbagh added, however, that there is an option for al-Hashemi to appeal his death sentence with a "full guarantee of protection" if he returned to Iraq. With regard to al-Hashemi, Aldabbagh warned Turkey not to act as a "lawyer for others."

[From Turkey, al-Hashemi summarily dismissed the Baghdad court that sentenced him, saying: "The verdict is unjust, politicized, illegitimate and I will not recognize it. It means nothing to me."]

In the interview, conducted by e-mail, Aldabbagh also described what he calls a "clear and visible ... sectarian conflict in the region" and warned of the threat of "extremist Islam" to Iraq and the region as a result of the conflict in Syria.

Aldabbagh said that Iraq is "fully neutral and ready to help and mediate" in Syria, supports a "democratic regime" acceptable to all parties and is "ready to be part of international efforts to stop any arms to Syria."