Looting in Iraq - Who is to blame?

There has been a lot of looting reported in Iraq. It appears tha government buildings have been hit the hardest, but that other places like museums, hotels, and ordinary businesses have been hit.

I was listening to a MPR on the way to work this morninig. The guest, Fawaz Gerges, who is chair of Middle Eastern and International Studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, seemed to be very well informed about Arab perceptions of the U.S. He is also the author of America and Political Islam: Clash of Interests or Clash of Cultures?

One bit he talked about confused me. He seemed to indicate the the Arab view, and by extension his view, was that the prevention of looting was the responsibility of the U.S. While I agree that we should provide security in Iraq and do our best to restore order (fulfilling our duties as described in the Geneva Convention), the responsibility for looting belongs squarely on the shoulders of the looters.

Let em say that again, more clearly. Looters are responsible for looting.

He also stated that Arabs very much want the U.S. out of Iraq and not to serve as a occupying force. Does anyone else see the coutradiction here. Get out of our country, but before you do be our police because we cannot restore order on our own. Seems like a no win situation to me.

If someone if familiar with Arab cultural practice or the typical interpretation of the Koran, what is normative Arab or Muslim behaviour in regards to looting? Is it acceptable in certain circumstances.