More UN Members Voices Support for Peaceful Solution to Iraqi Issue

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 20, 2003

More UN Members Voices Support for Peaceful Solution to Iraqi Issue

The UN Security Council continued an open debate on Iraq on Wednesday with more member states without seats on the council calling for further inspections.

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The UN Security Council continued an open debate on Iraq on Wednesday with more member states without seats on the council calling for further inspections.

They claimed their support for peaceful solution to Iraqi issueand voiced disapproval of a rush to war against Iraq.

"Resolution 1441 had been implemented satisfactorily. In turn, two briefings by the chief inspectors had described success in a very short period of time, and further success was promised in theupcoming period," Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations Ahmed Aboul Gheit said at the meeting.

He noted that Iraq's compliance with resolution 1441 and other Council resolutions would lead the way out of a dark tunnel, whichwas now threatening to be transformed into a deep abyss.

"The inspection process must be supported and continue, withoutinterruption or rigid deadlines, as long as it was achieving a positive outcome," he stressed.

"The repercussions of armed conflict for the Middle East and the whole world made it imperative to work with diligence, patience and determination towards a peaceful settlement."

Egypt's view was echoed by many countries, including Switzerland and Malaysia.

Swiss UN Ambassador Pierre Helg said he did not think the moment for the use of force had come and his government dreaded the consequences for the civilian population of a military operation.

"The resort to force could only be envisaged after all peacefulmeans to find a solution to the crisis had been exhausted," he emphasized. "In any case, the use of force must be authorized by aCouncil resolution."

Malaysian Deputy Permanent Representative Zainuddin Yahya said his country favored the continuation of inspections, as advocated by most Council members and other speakers in the debate.

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