Egypt calls for ending presence of foreign troops in Iraq

The foreign ministers of the states neighboring Iraq held a consultative meeting last night for coordinating stances before convening the Sharm El-Sheikh conference today on the future of Iraq.

The ministers discussed the development of the political process, and ways of achieving stability in Iraq.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit renewed Egypt's support for the Iraqi people and the need for respecting Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He called for applying the Security Council resolution No. 1546 which calls for ending the mandate of foreign troops and the restoration by Iraq of its sovereignty after the establishment of a constitutionally elected government by the advent of December 2005.

Abul-Gheit will open the conference this morning in presence of 16 states, and representatives from tour international and regional organizations for discussing ways of enhancing the interim Iraqi government and ending the foreign presence in Iraq.