M A I N   N E W S

Islamic nations for anti-war resolution

United Nations, April 1
Arab and Islamic nations have decided to push for the adoption of a resolution in the UN General Assembly against the US-led war in Iraq to show the strength of world opposition.

"We will go to the General Assembly," hopefully this week, Iraq's UN Ambassador Mohammed Al-Douri, chairman of the 22-member Arab Group at the UN, said yesterday after a closed-door meeting with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference Group, having 57 member nations, issued a statement, emphasising its readiness to take the issue before the General Assembly. It called for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq and respect for the sovereignty and political independence of Iraq and its neighbours.

Last week, the Security Council held a two-day open meeting on Iraq at the request of the Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, comprising about 115 mainly developing countries.

By going to the 191-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, the Arab and Islamic groups have a much better chance of winning approval if they can find language that has broad appeal. Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding though they reflect international opinion.

Arab diplomats said a proposed General Assembly resolution by the OIC Group, expressing regret for the use of force against Iraq was watered down in an effort to get support from European nations. AFP