RI can play role in resolving Iraqi conflict: enfoy

Jakarta, NU Online
Jordanian Ambassador to Indonesia Muhammad Hassan Dawoodieh said Indonesia which is the world’s largest Muslim nation can play a great role in putting an end to the Iraqi conflict.

"I have keenly observed that Indonesia can play a great and necessary role in efforts to resolve the Iraqi problem," Dawoodieh said after meeting with the chairman of the Muhammadiyah Islamic organisation, Din Syamsuddin, here on Tuesday.

The world community was discussing what role Indonesia could play in resolving the Iraqi conflict, he said.

He said Indonesian Muslims were modern and  against violence and had a high level of tolerance.

"We need such Moslems to resolve the Iraqi problem," he said.

Early this month Indonesia hosted an international conference of Islamic leaders and ulemas aimed at bringing about  reconciliation in Iraq.

The two-day meeting held in Bogor, south of Jakarta, issued a declaration in which Muslim Shi’ite and Sunni clerics from many countries agreed to work toward reconciliation in Iraq and urged the United States to leave the war-torn country soon.    

In the meeting Indonesia also proposed the deployment of peace-keeping troops from Islamic countries in Iraq to replace the US-led coalition forces.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda told a news conference after the meeting that Indonesia was ready to initiate the formation of a coalition of troops from Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries to fill the power vacuum in Iraq after the withrawal of the US-led forces.

"There should be no power vacuum in Iraq after the US-led coalition forces have left the country. Therefore, troops from Muslim countries need to replace the US-led coalition forces for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of war-torn Iraq," Wirayuda said. (ant/dar)