Arab League renews invitation on stopping the American strikes against Iraq

The Arab League (AL) criticized the United States and Britain for their continuation of air strikes against Iraq.

AL Assistant Secretary General for Arab Affairs Ahmed Bin Hali urged Washington and London to stop all military actions against Iraq, as he considered it an obstacle hindering the exerted efforts in the UN Security Council.

He confirmed the AL's support for the Iraqi people, urging the countries who hold permanent membership in the Security Council to bear their responsibility toward what Iraq is exposed outside the international legitimacy and confirm their commitment to maintaining Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Iraq's permanent deputy to the Arab League, Sultan El-Shawri, stated that defending Iraq and standing beside it is a defense of the whole Arab nation and its interests, adding that Iraq with its economic and cultural weight is a valuable part of the Arab nation. Following discussions with El-Shawri, Bin Hali said that Iraq is fully ready to hold an objective dialogue concerning the future based on a good intention and to discuss all Arabic problems and issues on any level either the summit, the foreign ministers or any other level.