Irbil meeting today with a low American representation

Figures representing the Iraqi opposition will be meeting today in Irbil, for the first time on the Iraqi territories since more than 10 years, in the first meeting of its kind since London's conference in December 2002.

Irbil meeting will be attended by members of the "follow up and coordination committee" which stemmed from the London's conference following increased American talks about the situation of the "after Saddam Hussein rule" and the American decision to appoint a military governor in Iraq if the US occupies it.

However, opposition sources say that the maximum that can be expected from the Irbil meeting falls in the context of what was specified by the American envoy Zalmai Khalil Zada on choosing figures from the follow up committee to be annexed to the consultation commission which will work beside the military governor who will be appointed by the USA.

The meeting, however, is expected to last for two or three days and is being held after officials at the US Department of State expected the foundation of an American military rule for a provisional period before forming a civilian government, while the opposition groups call for having a role in American plans to form the government in Iraq.