Fischer, left, speaks to the media with Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul

ISTANBUL, January 24 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer expressed Germany's support Friday, January 24, to an appeal by six leading Muslim nations to avert a U.S.-led war on Iraq, asking Iraq to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors.

He reiterated Germany's opposition to a war, saying he appreciated the declaration by the six countries, especially the strong message to the Iraqi government that there must be full compliance with UN resolution 1441, Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.

The German minister said that "it was also very important that the conference gave a strong signal for a peaceful solution to the crisis."

Fischer said after talks with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis here that Iraq "must understand how serious the situation is."

The joint statement late Thursday, January 23,  by Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, at the end of a day-long conference in Istanbul of their foreign ministers, underlined the importance of safeguarding the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

The statement also urged Iraq to comply with UN disarmament resolution and take steps to "unambiguously inspire confidence" in its neighbors.

"It was timely and very important," Fischer said in English.

German delegation sources said Fischer and Yakis had stressed during their talks that it represented Iraqi leader Saddam's Hussein's "last chance" to avoid a war.

Peaceful solution

Yakis, for his part, denied any contradiction in Turkey both gearing up for conflict and being opposed to any war.

"The more military pressure is on Iraq, the more it is likely to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict," he told the joint press conference with Fischer. "But our first priority is to reach a peaceful solution."

Fischer is on a haul through the region aimed at bolstering last-ditch diplomatic efforts to avert a war against Iraq, which the United States claims is hiding weapons of mass destruction.

Germany, which will preside over the UN Security Council in February 2003, wants UN weapons inspectors to be given more time for the task of investigating Iraq's alleged program of weapons of mass destruction.

The chief weapons inspectors are due Monday, January 27, to give a key report to the UN Security Council. Diplomats believe the United States, which with Britain is massing tens of thousands of troops in the region, might use a negative report as a pretext to launch action.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has already ruled out a vote in favor of war at the Security Council, but has not said if Germany would abstain or vote no.

Fischer and Yakis also touched on other issues during their talks, ranging from Turkey's claim for EU membership, to Cyprus and bilateral relations.

Fischer then went straight into talks with his Jordanian counterpart Marwan Muasher and Syrian opposite number Farouk al-Sharaa.

Since arriving Thursday, he has also met Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers, Prince Saud al-Faisal and Kamal Kharazi.

Later Friday he was traveling to Cairo to meet his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Maher and early Saturday with President Hosni Mubarak.

Fischer's final stop is Amman and talks with Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb, before returning Sunday to Berlin.