Egypt's foreign minister statement on Iraq

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher stressed the importance of allowing the Iraqi people to choose their government and to manage their own affairs and will without any foreign interference

In a statement issued he made in Cairo yesterday, Maher said that the transitional administration council in Iraq doesn't represent the Iraqi people and it is not legitimate, but it is a step toward insisting the Iraqi people's right of self determination.

Maher called the international community and the United Nations to play active role in this issue.

On the other hand, Maher stressed that the Palestinians should have their legal rights including their right to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Concerning the situation in Sudan, Maher underlined the importance of preserving the Sudanese security, stability, and lands' integrity.

Concerning the Egyptian relation with the U.S., Maher said that these relations are dependent on cooperation, equality of relations, and decision- independence principles.