A final test for Iraq

The law and order operation - Fard Al Qanun - launched in Baghdad is the last resort for Iraq to avoid slipping into a devastating sectarian confrontation. If successful it will help set the path for rebuilding the country.

It has taken long to assess the security needs of all Iraqis and work to achieve them, but is what Iraq badly needs at this time or it will face total chaos sparing no sect or city in the country.

According to government rhetoric, the aim of the action is to eliminate groups and militias instigating hatred between Shiites and Sunnis and conducting horrible attacks against civilians in both parties.

The government has also pledged its forces will act impartially and has assured that no group will be favoured over another. If implemented sincerely, which is a big if based on the past experiences, every Iraqi will support the operation because that is what is needed.

Based on the outcome of the past two security operations in the capital, which obviously failed to achieve their objectives, the key word for success is impartiality. It will mean maintaining an equal distance from the different sects and curbing any group violating the law and disturbing order.

Foreign elements that had been used to excuse the failure of previous operations cannot work this time. There will be no leak of insurgents from Syria and Iran because border gates have been temporarily sealed with these two countries.

For the first time the assigned leader of the operation is an Iraqi general - not an American officer - who knows very well how to deal with his countrymen.

The Iraqi government must succeed in this test and has no other option. Failure means that Iraq has crossed a threshold, but this time to a situation that will spare no one.