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Saudis back Allawi peacekeeping appeal
Iyad Allawi, Iraq's interim prime minister, yesterday secured important backing from Saudi Arabia for his appeal to Muslim countries to contribute peacekeeping forces, but analysts said he was still unlikely to succeed. Mr Allawi discussed what was described as a Saudi initiative with Saudi officials and Colin Powell, US secretary of state, yesterday. "This is a global war," he told reporters.None of Iraq's neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, would contribute to the force, which some officials said was intended to protect the United Nations mission while it helped Iraq prepare for legislative elections. So far, no country outside the US-led multinational force has made a firm commitment to aid the UN, while five countries have pulled out of the coalition. US lobbying has had little impact; at worst it has been counterproductive, so analysts say Iraq is hoping that Saudi Arabia's position as guardian of Islam's holiest shrines, and its considerable financial weight, will persuade countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh to reconsider their refusals to become involved. Posted by: Dan Darling 2004-07-30 |
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