SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 23, SPA-- An international conference on the political future of Iraq on Tuesday pressed the interim Iraqi government to make sure as many people as possible take part in Jan. 30 elections. The United States, Europe, China, Japan and Arab and Middle East countries said in a unanimous joint communiqué that Baghdad should call together political groups and civil society leaders before the parliamentary elections "with a view to encouraging broader participation in the general elections". The conference rebuffed calls to set a deadline for withdrawing the U.S.-led forces. But the final communiqué, which was approved unanimously, said pointedly that their mandate was «not open-ended.» The communiqué condemned «all acts of terrorism in Iraq,» referring particularly to the kidnappings and assassinations of foreign and Iraqi civilians, aid workers, diplomats and journalists. It urged the interim government to deal firmly with terrorists, but also to avoid hurting civilians. --More 2158 Local Time 1858 GMT
