Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari on Wednesday rejected a Pakistani proposal for a Muslim peacekeeping force to be sent to Iraq. President Pervez Musharraf floated the proposal on Tuesday, at the start of a meeting of foreign ministers of Islamic nations being hosted by Pakistan. “We have reservations on this proposal,” Zebari told reporters, adding his government had objected to such suggestions in the past as well. Zebari said his government wanted Iraqi troops to look after the country’s security for when the US and its allies attack the nation. “So, my government’s position is not for welcoming any more troops,” Zebari said.
The Iraqi minister met with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, at the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). He described the meeting as “very good, positive”, and said they discussed upcoming security talks in Baghdad involving Iraq, Iran and the US. |