Region | Iraq

Iraqi envoys to discuss ways to hold conference

Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki yesterday said his government will send envoys to neighbouring countries to pave the way for a regional conference on ending the rampant violence in his country.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 00:00 December 6, 2006
  • Gulf News

Baghdad/Cairo: Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki yesterday said his government will send envoys to neighbouring countries to pave the way for a regional conference on ending the rampant violence in his country.

The Shiite leader appeared to back down from previous opposition to handing neighbouring nations a say in Iraqi affairs but stressed that he wants the conference to be held in Iraq and while his government would welcome help, it would not tolerate interference.

Al Maliki said the government will send envoys to neighbouring countries to exchange views and discuss their possible contributions to building security and stability in Iraq.

"After the political climate is cleared, we will call for the convening of a regional conference in which these countries that are keen on the stability and security of Iraq will participate," the Shiite leader said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari charged yesterday that Iran's influence over Iraq was made possible by the absence of decisive Arab involvement in the war-torn country.

Zebari, speaking after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, acknowledged regional concerns over the allegedly increasing power Tehran wields in Iraq and said it stemmed from "the lack of an Arab presence" to counter it. "There is a dire need for Arab countries to support the Iraqi government in order to achieve stability in Iraq,"a Sunni Kurd said.

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