The world's top diplomats joined officials of Iraq and its neighbors Tuesday in Egypt's Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh to open a conference to discuss the future of the war-torn country.  

The meeting, hosted by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, brought together representatives of over 20 countries and organizations, including Iraq and its neighbors, the Group of Eight, China, the United Nations and the European Union.

The meeting is expected to last for about two hours as each delegate will have three to five minutes to make a statement, Abul Gheit said.

He said that the gathering sent a clear signal that the international community is eager to help the Iraqi people to accomplish the political process.

"Our meeting today clearly and definitely reflects the eagerness of the international community to positively participate in the creation of a favorable environment that will enable the provisional government to proceed in the implementation of various steps stipulated in UN Security Council resolution 1546," said the top Egyptian diplomat.

He said that all concerned parties should make efforts to render the Iraqi elections a success, which must be conducted in a fair and transparent way.

"The success of the elections, ... with the full participation of all factions and sectors of the Iraqi people, is not only in the interest of Iraq, but also conducive to achieving the objective of getting Iraq out of its current tragic situation," he said.

Addressing the opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the international community to work toward establishing "a stable Iraq, a peaceful Iraq, a democratic Iraq -- a new Iraq."

Annan said that the United Nations would like to help Iraq in holding the general elections due to be held on Jan. 30, 2005, stressing that they must take place in a conducive environment.

"The elections are a critical part of Iraq transition. They are being conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, which the UN is advising and supporting," he said.

As for the security in Iraq, he said, "The widespread insecurity, including indiscriminate acts of terror, is the greatest impediment to a successful transition process."

He reiterated the UN's recognition of the interim Iraqi government, saying that the authorities have the right and duty to maintain law and order throughout the country.

Following speeches made by Annan and Ahmed Abul Gheit, the conference started a closed-door session.

The morning session will be followed by a lunch hosted by Abul Gheit in honor of the delegates at 1 PM (1100 GMT). Another session would be held in the afternoon if needed.

A final communiqué is expected to be endorsed at the end of the meeting, followed by a news conference by Abul Gheit at 4 PM (1400 GMT).

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2004)