Iraqi PM urges firm stand against terrorism

Baghdad, Mar 10: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called on countries attending a conference of regional and world powers today to take a firm stand against terrorism in Iraq.

''We call on all to take moral responsibility by adopting a strong and clear stance against terrorism in Iraq and cooperate in stamping out forces of terror,'' Maliki said in a written version of his speech to the opening session of the conference.

He did not pick out any country individually.

The United States has accused Iran and Syria of fomenting violence in Iraq and supplying weapons and support for militant groups, charges both countries deny. Delegates from all three countries attended the conference.

''Our meeting with you today in Baghdad demonstrates support for the Iraqi people and Iraq's national unity government in our effort to confront all forms of terrorism in the country,'' Maliki said.

''Iraq looks to its neighbours to establish strong and stable relations based on common interests in all fields,'' he said.

''We also wish to have our neighbours' support for confronting terrorism and look forward to more active international cooperation in reconstruction and development.''

Reuters