Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday in Cairo that failure in Iraqi would unleash sectarian strife and extremism which would be felt first in the Middle East region.

Gates made this remarks during a speech at the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo, urging Arab countries to support Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, use their influence to help end the violence and boost the political reconciliation in Iraq.

He warned of the consequences of a failed state in Iraq, saying the chaos of sectarian strife and extremism will adversely impact the security and prosperity of every nation in the Middle East and Gulf region.

A total collapse in Iraq "will be felt in capitals and communities in the Middle East well before they are felt in Washington or New York, " Gates said.

Regarding Iran, Gates expressed his personal advocation for dialogue, however, he warned that Washington and its allies " should have no illusions" about the Iranian regime, "or about their designs for their nuclear program, their intentions for Iraq, or their ambitions in the Gulf region."

Earlier Wednesday, Gates met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Egyptian Minister of Defense Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to cover a number of issues, mainly the latest developments in Iraq.

Egypt will host two conferences on Iraq at its Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3 and 4.

Gates also expressed hope to continue the ongoing diplomatic and economic measures to press Iran to change its policy. The United States has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons and supporting insurgents in Iraq, which were denied by Iran.

Egypt was the second leg of Gates' regional tour aimed at urging allies in the region to help bolster the fledgling Iraqi government and offset Iran's growing influence, which had taken him to Jordan and will also take him to Israel.

Source: Xinhua