World vows support for violence-racked Iraq

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan shakes hands Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al Jafaari as European Commissioner for External relations Benita Ferrero Waldner watches at an international conference on Iraq yesterday at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. PHOTO: AFP

UN chief Kofi Annan, speaking at an international conference on Iraq, also underlined that the global community must match its words with action to help Iraq, still racked by violence over two years after Saddam Hussein's ouster.

The people of Iraq "look to this conference for a clear sign that the international community will be their determined and dedicated companions on the tough road ahead," he said.

"By our words and more importantly by our deeds we must reassure them that we will not let them down," he said.

The one-day conference, co-sponsored by the United States and Europe, was expected to produce few concrete results but confirm trans-Atlantic cooperation on Iraq after the bitter rifts produced by the 2003 US-led invasion.

It is the first such conference attended by the transitional broad-based government elected in Iraq's landmark democratic elections in January, an event which helped defuse anger in Europe over the invasion.

US officials also did not try to hide their hope that it would provide a display of world backing for US policy in Iraq at a time when Americans at home are becoming increasingly skeptical of the operation.

US Secretary of State Condole-ezza Rice, while vowing Washingt-on's continued support, called on Baghdad to boost security and open its political system and economy.

"To maximize the financial benefits of assistance, the new Iraqi government must continue to improve security, liberalize its economy and open political space for all members of Iraqi society who reject violence."

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari vowed that Baghdad has every intention of taking on its responsibilities -- including military ones after US-led forces begin withdrawing from the country next year.

"We want the presence of multinational forces in Iraq to be provisional, and our own forces to take over the tasks which are down to them," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the Brussels conference marks a "very important day" for Iraq that is "replete with symbolism," adding the world has "now come together to actively support the building of a democratic, peaceful and prosperous Iraq."