Iran to host Iraq security conference

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TEHERAN - Iran will this weekend host a regional conference on security in Iraq, with the Islamic republic likely to use the event to again call for a withdrawal of foreign troops from its neighbour.

The meeting will gather officials from Iraq and its neighbours -- Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait and Turkey -- plus Egypt, the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

“The cooperation of these countries on Iraq and security issues will be on the agenda,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in June when announcing plans for Saturday and Sunday’s event.

“A clear message will be sent from this meeting, in that these countries support the implementation of security in Iraq.”