Iraq wants to carry out UN resolutions says Egypt's FM

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa discussed with his Iraqi counterpart Muhammad Saeed al-Sahaf the latest developments pertaining to Iraq's work with UNSCOM.

In statements following the meeting, Moussa asserted the need to achieve genuine progress in the Iraqi file so as to end the sanctions imposed on Iraq. He added that he felt during the meeting Iraq's desire to carry out UN Security Council resolutions.

Iraq's suspension of active cooperation with UNSCOM was done with the call for the UN to change the composition of the inspection team members who are accused by Iraq of Being biased. One such member who was accused of working for the CIA was ex- US Marine Col. Scott Ritter who resigned two days ago citing that the UN and the US are not tough enough in their pursuit of Iraqi disarmament. Iraq also wants the headquarters of the UNSCOM operation to move to a Switzerland. UN Security Council discussions are ongoing on how to deal with this issue, with France calling for "a dialog with Iraq" to solve this problem

Concerning developments in South Lebanon, the Egyptian foreign minister stressed his country's support for the Lebanese demands for a complete and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon according to UN resolution 425. Moussa added that as long as there is an Israeli occupation, the Lebanese resistance will continue.