Hoshiar Al-Zibari is to head the Iraqi delegation to the Arab FMs meetings

By Karim Mahmoud, IOL Correspondent

CAIRO, September 6 (IslamOnline.net) – In what is seen as the direct result of U.S. pressure, well-placed Arab sources have revealed that almost all Arab countries agreed that the U.S.-handpicked Iraqi Governing Council would represent Iraq in upcoming foreign ministers' meeting at the Arab League (AL) HQs in Cairo on September 9-10.

The new AL stance is, according to diplomatic sources, based on an already-existing legal foundation; Iraq's membership in the pan-Arab organization has never been suspended.

The change of heart came, according to Arab diplomatic sources in Cairo, after U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell sent a message to seven Arab counterparts to determine their countries' position – urgently – regarding three issues; supporting the U.S. draft resolution presented to the U.N. about Iraq, participating in the multi-national force envisaged therein, in addition to officially recognizing the Governing Council and guaranteeing its representation in the next Arab foreign ministers’ meeting and other AL gatherings.

Powell's message – sent to Egypt, Morocco, and five Gulf states (Saudi Arabia not included) via diplomatic channels – asked the seven countries to "use their influence during the coming FMs meeting to garner support for the U.S. demands or – at least – blocking any decisions that would prevent them (the demands) from being adopted by each Arab state separately", the sources told  IslamOnline.net Friday, September 5.

Powell gave his counterparts "just five days" to receive a reply as he emphasized "the necessity of receiving the response of your countries before the meeting of AL Council (Tuesday, September 9)," according to the sources.

In another development, well-informed Arab sources – in special statements to IOL – explained that the last few days witnessed what seemed to be "the magical solution" that put an end to the current debate around Iraq representation in the Arab FMs meeting.

The sources said "it has been concluded that there was no legal obstacles to the Iraqi participation, as Iraq's membership was not frozen in the first place, on one hand. In addition, the current situation in Iraq is a transitional one that does not need new legalization, as recognition is only needed for new members".

Such argument paves the way for the Iraqi Governing Council to take the Iraq’s seat in the AL meetings.

In the mean time, the sources argued, however, that such argument does not mean recognizing the Council, appointed by the occupation forces and welcomed, but not endorsed by the Arab countries and the United Uantions.

The well-placed sources added that Ambassador Safaa al-Bayie, appointed by the Council as Iraq's permanent delegate to the AL, has received calls from several Arab counterparts in Cairo conveying the approval of their governments to Iraq's participation in the coming FMs meeting.

The AL has – until recently – refused demands by the Governing Council to represent Iraq, refused to endorse it as a legal representative of the Iraqi people, on the basis that it is appointed by the U.S.-led occupation authorities.

Iraqi FM To Attend

Iraqi sources, meanwhile, said the Iraqi delegation to the FMs meeting would be headed by the foreign minister in the new government, Hoshiar Al-Zibari, and comprise four other diplomats.

They added that the delegation would likely arrive in Cairo Monday, September 8, to take part in the meetings the following morning.

The Iraqi Governing Council has declared it would send a delegation to the Cairo meeting "even without invitation".

In the corridors of the AL, two positions were obvious during the last few days concerning the Iraqi participation in the coming FMs meeting.

The first – led by Kuwait and supported by some other Gulf states – calls for directly inviting the Governing Council to send a representative to the meeting.

The other position – sponsored by countries including Egypt, the next head of the coming AL session – wants the Iraqi participation to be debated by the "consultative meeting" held by the FMs prior to the official meeting, then, an invitation is to be extended to an Iraqi delegation, based on such "consultations".

The diplomatic sources implied that the "magical, legal solution" helped Saudi Arabia "swallow" the Kuwaiti proposal and made Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal to declare Thursday, September 4, that his country "does not oppose the Iraqi participation in the coming AL meetings".

The same sources expected Syria and Libya to adopt the same position, whereas the Egyptian position was expected to remain undecided till the last minute.

The Arab sources revealed – in this regard – that Cairo (as the head of the meeting) wants to adopt a neutral position in this case, not to affect the decision of other parties.