Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he wanted a new United Nations resolution on Iraq adopted before an October 23-24 Madrid conference is called to review financial aid for the war-torn country.
Following summit talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Yekaterinburg, Putin said that Moscow was still pushing for a quick transfer of power from the US-picked Governing Council to a freely elected Iraqi government.
"We would like to see the resolution voted on before the Madrid conference. This would serve as a good basis for the Madrid talks," Putin told reporters.
"Iraq needs huge investments, but these investments can only be used effectively after political rules are established" for the reconstruction of Iraq, the Russian leader added.
He said his country would "most likely take part in this conference as an observer."
Putin added that he and Schroeder agreed that the United Nations should take the leading role in oversight of Iraq's future, according to AFP.
"Russia and Germany stand in favor of a democratic and just world order, and strengthening of the United Nations and international rights," he said. (Albawaba.com)
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