Mideast Region Does Not Need New War: Chirac

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 17, 2002

Mideast Region Does Not Need New War: Chirac

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Visiting French President Jacques Chirac said on Wednesday the Mideast region does not need a new war, reaffirming his country's opposition to automatic use of force against Iraq in any new UN resolution.

"I have always believed that war is the worst solution and all efforts should be exerted to avoid war," Chirac told reporters after talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak at the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

"It seems to France and Egypt that there is no need for new resolutions (on Iraq)," Chirac said, referring to a US-sponsored UNresolution on Iraq that is being discussed within the UN Security Council.

"Our American friends want a resolution which would authorize the international community to intervene militarily, if Iraq does not respect inspection conditions," he said.

"If inspectors returns to Iraq and reports that they are unable to carry out their work because of inappropriate conditions becauseof obstacles placed by Iraq, the Security Council should take a resolution," he said.

"Any UN resolution should be in line with the interests of the region and the rules of ethics," he added.

On his part, Mubarak termed Chirac's ideas as "logical and reasonable," saying all avenues should be explored before war is opted.

"It is imperative to give a chance to the people to know if UN resolutions (on Iraq) are not carried out and if Iraq places obstacles in the way of inspectors," he said.

"I believe that a resolution would be issued in accordance with what the international community decides," he added.

Chirac arrived here earlier in the day as part of his Mideast tour, which will also take him to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

On Sept. 16, Iraq said it will allow UN weapons inspectors to return to Iraq unconditionally.

However, the United States dismissed the Iraqi offer as "a tactic that will fail," while pushing for a single tough UN resolution which will "automate" the use of force in the event of Iraqi noncompliance.

France, one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, favors a two-stage approach in dealing with Iraq, with a first resolution laying out tough conditions for resumption of UN weapons inspections, and if necessary, followed with a second that could authorize the use of force to enforce the Iraqi compliance.

The United States has been accusing Iraq of developing weapons of mass destruction, posing a threat to security of its neighboringcountries. Iraq denies the allegation.

US President George W. Bush has threatened to use all tools at his disposal to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

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