Competition for food may cause wars: Singapore PM

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivers the keynote address and opening dinner of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore May 30, 2008.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The struggle for affordable food could lead to wars between countries, Singapore's prime minister told a security conference on Friday, as the price of rice and other staples has risen to record levels.

The cost of many food commodities has doubled over the last couple of years, sparking widespread protests and even riots in some of the worst affected spots, such as Haiti.

"In the longer term, the trends towards tighter supplies and higher prices will likely reassert themselves. This has serious security implications," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the opening of a security conference attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

"The stresses from hunger and famine could result in social upheaval and civil strife, exacerbating conditions that lead to failed states.

"Between countries, competition for food supplies and displacement of people across borders could deepen tensions, and provoke conflict and wars."

Lee said the high cost of rice had caused unrest in some places and that people in Darfur and Bangladesh were illegally crossing borders in search for food and water.

(Reporting by Jan Dahinten & Melanie Lee)