20 nations, including the United States, Russia, Iraq's neighbors and Arab states opened a conference on Iraq on Monday, urging the government to include maximum parties in the upcoming general elections.
The two-day international event is expected to support Iraq's war on "insurgents" and will not set a deadline for the pullout of U.S.-led occupation forces, according to a draft of its final statement, obtained by The Associated Press.
Iraq had asked Egypt to convene the conference, being held in the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, in an attempt to increase global support for its fight against "insurgents" and its plan to hold national elections.
Iraq has said it will present plans for neighboring states to tighten their borders against the infiltration of would-be fighters and to share information about groups supporting them.
In an interview with AP in Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said neighboring states have not done enough to help Iraq. "Certainly, some brothers and leaders in some neighboring nations did not do enough," Allawi said just before the conference opened. "They should have tried to help us at a time when we needed help."
But he added: "We look forward to having positive and balanced ties with all our neighbors without exception. And we expect these nations and their leaders to take do the same."
The draft of the final text also said the conference "welcomes the role played by all concerned parties, including those of regional organizations, especially the League of Arab states, to create an environment conducive to security and stability in the region. The ministers encourage measures aimed at building confidence in Iraq." (albawaba.com)
