Arab League says to replace Iraq mission chief

CAIRO, Jan 31 (Reuters) The Arab League said today it was determined to maintain its presence in Iraq despite the resignation of the chief of its mission in Baghdad.

The Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa was looking into several names suggested to replace Mukhtar Lamani who quit several days ago, the organisation said in a statement.

''The secretary-general stressed the Arab League's determination to continue its efforts to support Iraq to achieve reconciliation,'' the statement said.

It did not give a reason for Lamani's resignation, and Arab League officials were not available for comment.

The mission would continue its work in Baghdad, led by a charge d'affairs, the statement said.

Several Arab states have relocated their top diplomats from Baghdad, away from the daily violence that has underlined concerns Iraq is sliding into a sectarian civil war.

REUTERS SP PM2256