Arab foreign ministers refuse sending troops to Iraq

Arab League Secretary-General, Amr Moussa, said the meeting of the League follow-up committee produced a consensus that sending Arab military forces to Iraq cannot be considered in the current circumstances.

Moussa said action should be undertaken to put an end to the occupation of Iraq by the USA and allow the Iraqi people to form a national government.

Bahrain's minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohammed Ben Moubarak Al Khalifa, whose country is acting chair of the Arab Summit, told the press that Arab states are working for the independence, sovereignty and unity of Iraq, adding that the committee examined Arab states' readiness to contribute to Iraq reconstruction.

On Monday, Amr Moussa said the League drew up a draft resolution stressing the importance of a unified Iraqi political structure to lead the country back to full sovereignty.

The recommendations, made during Tuesday's committee meeting, will help form the basis of talks at future Arab League summits.