Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Iranian, Syrian envoys likely to join in Baghdad security talks
Region, Politics, Security
(AP) Envoys from the West and Islamic nations - including Iran, Syria and the United States - are expected to attend a conference next month on efforts to stabilize Iraq, a diplomatic adviser said Tuesday. The meeting, planned for mid-March in the Iraqi capital, is an attempt by the U.S.-backed government to seek greater regional assistance in fighting insurgents and addressing tensions between Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims and Sunnis.
Some nations had expressed reservations about taking part in the conference because of security worries and political sensitivities. Some of Iraq's Sunni neighbors are wary about being seen as lending too much support to the Shiite-led government. But Labed Abbawi, an adviser to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, said "there has been positive responses" from nearly all the nations and groups invited, which include Iraq's neighbors, the Arab League and the five permanent U.N. Security Council members. "We believe all will attend," he said. No date has been set.
Some nations had expressed reservations about taking part in the conference because of security worries and political sensitivities. Some of Iraq's Sunni neighbors are wary about being seen as lending too much support to the Shiite-led government. But Labed Abbawi, an adviser to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, said "there has been positive responses" from nearly all the nations and groups invited, which include Iraq's neighbors, the Arab League and the five permanent U.N. Security Council members. "We believe all will attend," he said. No date has been set.
Labels: Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Iran, security talks, Syria, U.S.
