Iraqi FM opposed to sending Muslim Peacekeepers in Baghdad

Islamabad, May 17 (UNI) Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has rejected Pakistan's proposal for a Muslim peacekeeping force, saying more foreign troops were not welcome in Iraq.

Mr Zebari, who is attending the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Islamabad, said the idea had already been raised before but was knocked down. Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf had raised the idea of a peacekeeping force from Muslim nations.

"My government's position is not for welcoming any more troops.

We want our troops, the Iraqi troops, to rise up and stand, let's say to stabilise the situation," Mr Zebari was quoted today by 'Dawn' newspaper.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Islamabad today that Iran would not compromise on its right to have peaceful nuclear technology. "This is our right and the ICFM has endorsed it," he added.

He said EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana and Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani will meet in Spain next week to have further discussions on the issue.

"We are ready to compromise on anything except our peaceful nuclear programme," he said. A draft resolution presented before the meeting supports Iran's right without pre-conditions, Mr Mottaki further added.

"This is the substance of the text of the draft resolution that we hope will be adopted here," he mentioned.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Mr Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri yesterday reiterated Pakistan's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear programme under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and called for a diplomatic resolution to Tehran's nuclear stand-off with the United States.

UNI