By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Second Baghdad Regional Conference concluded here with a call for support for the Iraqi government and non-interference in its internal affairs.
Representatives from Iraq’s neighbouring countries, United Nations Security Council permanent member countries, the group of G8 industrialised countries, the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference discussed the establishment of a mechanism to follow up on the outcome of deliberations at the conference, a statement said Sunday.
The conference was held a day before a progress report to be submitted by the US ambassador in Baghdad and commander of coalition forces in Iraq regarding the violence and political process in Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki took advantage of the conference to defend his government and said the Middle East region was passing through huge challenges.
He said his government has realised many achievements in reconstruction and has improved on security, economy and services.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the conference, the largest held in Baghdad since 1990, was “important.”
He told a news conference the participants realised that failure to carry out a positive role in Iraq would undermine security of the region.
He warned that terrorism would not be restricted to Iraq but spread to the regional countries.
Zebari, touching on assistance extended to Iraq, said Kuwait, Syria, Iran and Turkey were helping Iraq by providing electricity supply.
He said they have also discussed the situation of Iraqi refugees.