Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Iran's participation in Baghdad confab essential: Zebari

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Baghdad, March 8, IRNA
Iran-Iraq-Security Confab /POL/
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari, in a telephone conversation Thursday with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki, said Iran's presence in the Baghdad security conference scheduled for Saturday was essential.

"Due to the current situation in Iraq, Iran's presence in the meeting has great significance," he said.

In related developments, Mottaki confirmed to reporters in Tehran Wednesday that an Iranian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi will attend the Baghdad security conference.

He said the Iranian delegation will exchange views with representatives of other countries participating in the meeting, mainly Iraqi neighboring states, adding "we hope the conference will help bring to an end the presence of foreign troops in the country."

"Without interfering in the country's internal affairs, we hope the conference will send a clear message that regional countries will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Iraqi people in tackling the country's security problem," he said.

A number of high-ranking officials from Iraqi neighboring states, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Arab League and other regional countries are to take part in the conference in the Iraqi capital slated to open on Saturday.

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