led forces would withdraw, leaving Iraq as a country with "complete sovereignty and independence." In an address, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Iraq was at a turning point. "Iraq now is at cross roads and the future of Iraq will depend on national accord that you'll shape with open minds and hearts, that raise above sects, and religious and racial identity." The top U.N. envoy to Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, read a message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan, urging all sides to work toward dialogue and peace. "I hope that this preparatory meeting will help the Iraqi sides to agree on the steps needed to realize mutual confidence and a mutual feeling of responsibility. ... I want to reiterate the full support of the United Nations to a comprehensive and transparent political process that meets the demands of the Iraqis," Annan's statement said. Moussa invited about 100 Iraqi leaders to the gathering, which aims to prepare for a full reconciliation conference to be held in Iraq _ probably in January. The weekend session is expected to tackle the issue of who will participate in the full conference.
