Neighbouring States To Support Iraqi Transition

UN Envoy Stresses Need For Neighbouring States To Support Iraqi Transition

The senior United Nations envoy for Iraq looked beyond its borders today, discussing with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Mohammed Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah the importance of next month's meeting of neighbouring states in Istanbul in showing a willingness to support the transition process in the conflict-torn country.

The agenda of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi's trip to Kuwait also focused on the formation of a new Iraqi Government following January's elections as well as the security situation and the importance of stability as the basis for reconstruction and development initiatives.

His trip offered a break from the eight-week long series of almost continuous daily talks he has had with all sectors of Iraqi society to ensure that all elements take part in writing a new constitution after Sunni Arabs largely stayed away from the elections.

Since his appointment last July, Mr. Qazi has on various occasions visited Iraq's neighbours to secure their support for the transition following the ouster of Saddam Hussein's regime by a United States-led invasion two years ago.

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