Moussa points to Annan Iraq visit for solution

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said the visit of Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, who arrive Tuesday afternoon, comes within the current intensive Arab consultations to follow the development of the Iraq crisis.

Concerning UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's visit to Baghdad, Moussa said it's an important visit, emphasizing that fulfilling this visit is an affirmation of the roles of the United Nations and the secretary-general. Moussa said it would also maintain the international organization's respect and its efficiency in problem solving related to international peace and security.

Moussa said Egypt is in favor of Annan's visit to Baghdad and focused on the importance of and need for this visit, as the UN secretary-general is the organization's highest international employee and also because he represents the organization in its responsibility in maintaining peace and security, thus it's essential that his attempts represent the international will and implement the UN security council's resolutions.

Finally Moussa said the European role is clear and is within the efforts to find a political solution to the Iraqi crisis.