Iraqi national council on Egypt's efforts

The chairman of the Iraqi national council, Saedoun Hamadi, praised Egypt's role and president Mubarak for efforts to solve the Iraqi crisis.

He said that the Iraqi people and officials appreciate Egypt's efforts and hoped that the efforts will achieve a political solution to the crisis.

He added that if the U.S. wants to launch an attack on Iraq, Baghdad is reserving its right to defend itself, saying that his country has presented many suggestions aimed at ending the crisis over UN weapons inspector access to "presidential palaces" while preserving Iraq's dignity.

Saedoun referred to the Iraqi people's suffering as a result of the sanctions.