Wahbeh outlines Syria's position on Iraq

Syria's Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Mikhail Wahbeh has indicated that the non-permanent group of ten at the Security Council have stressed their opposition to the US.war against Iraq because of its dangerous repercussions to the region.

In an interview broadcast by the Qatari al Jazira TV on Wednesday, Wahbeh indicated that the group have admitted that the international inspectors in Iraq have achieved noticeable progress in their mission in Iraq in line with Resolution number 1441,and these countries have welcomed chief of the inspection team Hans Blix's statements in which he announced that positive developments have been recorded with regard to the Iraqi cooperation and that he has been receiving daily messages on the core of cooperation and not like just what is being stated by some countries.

He pointed out that the Chinese -- backed German-French-Russian proposal which constitutes a wide window of hope that has been widely welcomed because it offers an alternative to war by focusing on the peace approach, and allows the international inspectors to do their job according to resolutions 1441 and 1284 which have not given any specific time limit for the inspectors work.

He stressed importance of the unity of the Security Council, indicating that Syria is among many countries that have focused on this matter, and is still very careful with regard to this unity.

He said that the question is connected with an issue of destiny which is war and peace, and consequently the permanent member countries are deeply interested in taking a position in concord with the world conscience and the justice of the stance.

He indicated that the mission of the Security Council is making peace and preserving international peace and security, and not to approve a resolution of a foreboding war.