French FM says Iraq's woes internal

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French FM says Iraq's woes internal 22 minutes ago



PARIS (AFP) - French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Sunday welcomed the just-ended international security conference in Iraq but stressed that the country's current woes had internal causes.

"It is about those that something must be done. There is a need for a new pact between Iraqis so that everyone has fair access to the country's resources and institutions," he told the French weekly Journal du Dimanche.

He hailed the conference, which brought together Iraq's neighbours and the United States, as a first step towards a "concrete recommitment by everyone to Iraqi's stability, and of course, France is ready to make its contribution."

"But this international mobilisation must go hand in hand with renewed efforts at national reconciliation among Iraqis."

He reiterated that a "horizon" needed to be fixed for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, while warning against two pitfalls.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070311/wl_mideast_afp/iraqsecurityconference_070311094648