UN Security Council Begins Open Meeting on Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 19, 2003

UN Security Council Begins Open Meeting on Iraq

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The United Nations SecurityCouncil kicked off an open meeting Tuesday afternoon, during which delegates of 57 countries without seats on the council will have an opportunity to air their views on potential war with Iraq.

The meeting was presided over by German Ambassador to the United Nations Gunter Pleuger, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 15-nation Security Council.

The representative of the Arab League is also on the speakers list, according to which none of the 15 council members will deliver a speech at the debate.

Dumisani Kumalo, South African UN ambassador, who was first to take the floor, told the meeting that a South African team is now on its way to Iraq to introduce its experience in eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

Kumalo warned against jumping to conclusion while inspection work is making progress on the ground in Iraq.

He reiterated that no time limit is stipulated in UN resolution1441 and inspections should be allowed more time as called for by two top UN weapons inspectors.

The meeting was arranged at the request of South Africa, which holds the rotating chair of the 115-nation Non-Aligned movement ofdeveloping countries.

The gathering was originally scheduled to open Tuesday morning,but was postponed due to a snowstorm hitting northeastern America.

The meeting is expected to extend into Wednesday.

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