Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Amr Moussa said Saturday that all Iraqi political parties, in face of a critical situation, should set aside factional disputes, close ranks and set national interest, security and independence as their priority.

Moussa made the remarks in the Arabic-Chinese Friendship Hall at the Cairo-based AL Headquarters in an interview with Xinhua on the eve of the two-day Second Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, slated for May 31 in Beijing.

The installation of a new Iraqi government under Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki marks a step forward, said Moussa, adding that he had congratulated Maliki on this and held talks with Maliki on the importance of unifying actions among all Iraqis.

Moussa said that the newly-installed Iraqi government would hold a national reconciliation meeting in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on June 20 with support from the AL, which is certainly another good step in the right direction.

Still, Iraq is faced with many critical problems including conflicts between different races and different religious sects, the presence of foreign troops, democratic process and strained relations with neighboring countries, according to Moussa.

He said that he hoped Maliki could lead a national unity government and rebuild Iraq based on a common recognition of national status among all Iraqis.

Moussa also called for an as-soon-as-possible withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

No one would welcome foreign troops to be stationed on his own soil, said he, adding that it is time for the U.S. army in Iraq to talk with the Iraqi government on withdrawal.

As for Iran's controversial nuclear program, Moussa said that there is so far no solid evidence proving that Iran has a nuclear program for military purpose.

Iran is entitled to have a civilian nuclear program, said he.

"If anyone maintains that Iran has no right to develop a military nuclear program, the same policy should be applied to Israel," said Moussa.

The United States has been accusing Tehran of developing an atomic bomb under the disguise of civilian nuclear program, a charge denied by Iran, which insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful use.

Commenting on the relations between Syria and Lebanon, Moussa said that the AL attaches importance to easing the strained Syrian- Lebanese ties but more time is needed.

Source: Xinhua