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Saudi will send troops only if asked by `legitimate govt`
Riyadh, July 20: Saudi Arabia will not send any peacekeeping troops to Iraq unless it is asked to do so by Iraqis, reported Saudi Arabia`s official news agency quoted the foreign minister as saying.
Riyadh, July 20: Saudi Arabia will not send any peacekeeping troops to Iraq unless it is asked to do so by Iraqis, reported Saudi Arabia’s official news agency quoted the foreign minister as saying.
The US administration has been searching for peacekeepers to replace exhausted American troops in Iraq. Washington has not asked Saudi Arabia or any other Arab nation to do so.
India rejected a US request, saying it would consider such a deployment only under a United Nations mandate. Germany and France have also ruled out any military role in Iraq without UN blessing.
According to the report, Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said in a press conference in Jiddah Saturday night that his country will not be sending any such troops unless ``a legitimate Iraqi government'' makes a request. Al-Faisal did welcome the establishment of the unelected Iraqi governing council, selected during meetings involving Iraqis who had opposed Saddam Hussein and American officials, saying it is a ``positive step.'' but he said Saudi Arabia had had no contacts with the council yet.
``Diplomatic representation and the opening of offices will come when the legitimate government is established,'' the report quoted al-Faisal as saying.
The top diplomat did not elaborate. Bureau Report
India rejected a US request, saying it would consider such a deployment only under a United Nations mandate. Germany and France have also ruled out any military role in Iraq without UN blessing.
According to the report, Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said in a press conference in Jiddah Saturday night that his country will not be sending any such troops unless ``a legitimate Iraqi government'' makes a request. Al-Faisal did welcome the establishment of the unelected Iraqi governing council, selected during meetings involving Iraqis who had opposed Saddam Hussein and American officials, saying it is a ``positive step.'' but he said Saudi Arabia had had no contacts with the council yet.
``Diplomatic representation and the opening of offices will come when the legitimate government is established,'' the report quoted al-Faisal as saying.
The top diplomat did not elaborate. Bureau Report