An illusion born in cyberspace

Amid the endless surge of violence in Iraq comes the announcement by an Iraqi militant group, which also includes Al Qaida in Iraq, to rub salt into the wounds of a population that is trying to survive the daily routine of bloody mayhem and killings.

The group's video-taped declaration of the establishment of an "Islamic Iraqi state" in the country comes across as a ridicule not only towards the basic principles of nation-building, but more importantly against the Iraqi population's suffering.

In their statement, the Mujahideen Shura Council - an umbrella organisation made up of insurgent groups in Iraq - have identified the capitals of their "newly-formed" state as well as its provinces.

But how can a state be born out of a video clip, in the depths of cyberspace? In fact, whatever state this militant group is trying to form ensures the break-up of the country and its division along tribal lines. If groups claim the establishment of a country on the basis of sectarian, religious or ethnic factors, then how much is left of a nation's integrity?

The Iraqi people today are in no need of illusionary states, hollow entities or broken promises.