May 4, 2007

U.N Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged the international community on Thursday to provide the Iraqi government with financial support to help it realize peace and security.

The top U.N diplomat welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's participation in the International Compact for Iraq (ICI) in Sharm el-Sheikh to renew countries' commitments towards Iraq.

"International organizations will work with Iraq to make the (ICI) a reality for supporting Iraq in different domains," Ki-Moon said in his statement before the conference.

He also urged all participants to provide facilities to support the country politically and economically.

"The U.N is committed to supporting the Iraqi government in return for the government's promise to adopt different legislation to balance the distribution of Iraq's wealth," he added.

For her part U.S. Secretary of Sate Condoleezza Rice called upon the international community to provide a financial support to the Iraqi government so it can achieve security and stability.

"The U.S. government is committed to helping the Iraqi government to build a new democratic Iraq," she said, noting that Iraq had made big economic achievements towards the prosperity of the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki earlier called on the countries participating in the International Compact for Iraq to offer support and to show their solidarity with the Iraqi government and people to build a new democratic country.

"We have kept hard work for the prosperity of Iraq before our eyes and decided to push ahead with national economic reform. The former Iraqi regime's policies have only brought destruction, devastation and serious harm to the country," al-Maliki said while addressing the conference.

"Security and economy are two parallel lines for achieving progress and prosperity. We are looking forward to support from our brother countries and friends to help Iraq face its challenges. Mutual respect and common interests will be the foundations of our relations with all countries," al-Maliki added.

Al-Maliki explained that the Iraqi government had vowed to activate institutions concerned with monitoring and sustaining the integrity of state institutions.

Among the major goals that the Iraqi government is currently seeking to achieve are carrying out oil and gas projects, and continuing the establishment of state institutions, the prime minister indicated.

"The draft law on investment will open the door to profitable investment," he added.

Al-Maliki also praised Iraqi tribes for their help in purging the Iraqi provinces of "terrorist groups."

Concluding his speech at the conference, al-Maliki underlined the seriousness of the national unity government in disarming militia groups, adding that laying down national principles for the Iraqi armed forces was one of the most significant government accomplished missions.

The Egyptian foreign minister opened the conference today with the participation of more than 60 states and international organizations.

Iraq is participating in the conference with a high-level delegation led by al-Maliki.