IRAQ-UAE: Baghdad says US president should step down rather than Saddam

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

DOHA, Mar 5 2003 (IPS) - Naji Sabri, Iraqi Foreign Minister, confirmed that the meeting between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegates was held at the sidelines of the Islamic Summit being held in Qatar, similar to the bilateral discussions among the participating countries.

Expressing his astonishment at the reported reconciliation between the two parties, Sabri further stated that there were no differences that necessitated such reconciliation.

He further hinted that the Islamic Conference will ultimately reach a unified stand on the Iraqi issue as all the participating countries are seeking a peaceful solution.

The issue will end up in peaceful solution if the US did not interfere, Sabri said, adding that it is the US President who should step down and not the Iraqi President.