Arab League chief calls for new formula in dealing with Iraq

Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid called on Tuesday for a new mechanism to restore confidence between Iraq and the UN Security Council.

The AL's assistant secretary general in charge of the Iraqi file, Ahmad Bin Hali told reporters that Abdul Meguid sent a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan over the US-UK strike on Iraq.

Bin Hali said the letter called for a new and acceptable formula in dealing with Iraq in line with UN resolutions.

He said the new formula might be able to resolve the pending problems between Iraq and the UN and help Iraq in lifting the UN sanctions while safeguarding its sovereignty and regional unity.

Bin Hali said that Abdul Meguid assigned the head of the AL mission in New York to coordinate with the Arab group in leading the Security Council "to shoulder its full responsibility towards Iraq."

Abdul Meguid sent similar letters to the foreign ministers of China, Russia and France, Bin Hali said.

Meanwhile, Abdel Meguid urged the executive office of the Arab ministers of health to provide medical assistance to the Iraqi people in the wake of the U.S.-British strike.