Speaking to reporters in Jordan, John McCain 'mistakenly' referred to Iranian extremists as al Qaeda terrorists. McCain recanted his remarks after being corrected by Sen. Joseph Lieberman.
Mar. 19 - The presumptive Republican nominee for US president, Senator John McCain, was speaking in Amman, Jordan about the groups backing al Qaeda in Iraq.
With Senator Joe Lieberman at his side, McCain accused Iran of supporting the Sunni extremist group al Qaeda in Iraq.
U.S. officials believe Iran has been backing Shi'ite extremists in Iraq, not a Sunni group like al Qaeda.
After McCain's statement, Lieberman whispered in his ear and McCain quickly corrected himself.
"I'm sorry; the Iranians are training the extremists, not al Qaeda. Not al Qaeda. I'm sorry," McCain said.Tags: Jordan John McCain CBS 2008 shiite shia Iranian extremists al Qaeda terrorists.gaffe queda qaida clinton obama |