United Nations, Sept 15: Arab League nations have appealed to Iraq to heed international calls to allow UN weapons inspectors back and avert a confrontation with the United States that could inflame the Middle East.
With Washington threatening action against Iraq unless it obeys Security Council resolutions, 22 Arab foreign ministers met yesterday on the sidelines of the general assembly with an urgent message for Baghdad. "We said loudly and clearly that we are for the integrity of Iraq, for the stability of Iraq as well as for the full implementation of all the resolutions regarding Iraq," Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud said.


"We would like to see the observers going back to Iraq and with them will come peace for the Iraqi people and stability for Iraq."

Iraq's foreign minister, Naji Sabri, told the group that Iraq was ready to allow the inspectors to return but not before certain conditions, Hammoud and other ministers said.
Sabri himself did not speak to reporters. He later met privately with Arab league secretary general Amr Moussa.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Arab ministers that he wanted them individually to push for the return of inspectors to restore peace and stability to the region and avoid another major conflict.
"We meet at a critical time as governments are discussing war and peace," Annan said.
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher said that he impressed upon Sabri that the Arab ministers want the inspectors back, and that he should consult with Baghdad and get a decision for Annan.

Bureau Report