UAE stress diplomacy to solve Iraqi crisis

Abu Dhabi's crown prince and deputy commander of the United Arab Emirates' armed forces, Sheikh Khaleifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan today called for intensified diplomatic efforts in order to solve the crisis between Iraq and the UN by diplomatic means.

The Gulf News Agency quoted Sheikh Khaleifa as saying during his meeting with US Secretary of Defense William Cohen, currently touring several states in the region, that the UAE sees the need to reach a peaceful solution for the crisis that ensures security and stability in the region.

Sheikh Khaleifa called upon the international community to gear up efforts and contacts to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis and give political efforts the chance to realize a diplomatic solution to defuse the crisis and avoid regional catastrophe.

He stressed the need for Iraq's commitment to UN Security Council resolutions in permitting UNSCOM to carry out inspections and to ease the sufferings of the Iraqi people.

Cohen arrived Abu Dhabi earlier in the day.