Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that the Sharm Al-Sheikh Conference on Iraq reflects the keenness of the international community, the United Nations and regional organizations to assist progress towards peace and stability in Iraq, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1546.
Addressing the Joint International Conference between Iraq’s neighbouring countries and Group 8 of Great Industrial Countries on Iraq’s Future, Prince Saud noted that Iraq’s neighbouring countries stressed the necessity of maintaining Iraqi unity and national independence.
Iraq should be assisted to achieve security and stability and establishment of the political process by ensuring participation of all citizens in the general elections to set up a permanent, broad-based and legitimate government, Prince Saud said. He added that freedom and democracy in Iraq cannot be achieved by the use of force, but only by reconciliation and participation of all political, ideological and racial groups in the political process.
Prince Saud said that he hoped that the political process in Iraq would run smoothly, and said that the first step was to hold municipal elections under the supervision of the United Nations to provide the best services for citizens in cities and villages, without discrimination.
The Minister added that, in addition to promoting the political process in Iraq, efforts should be focused on reconstruction. He expressed his belief that a large proportion of Iraqi debts should be written off.
Source: SPA
