BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 Kyodo Iraqi Pres...

BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 Kyodo

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein upon Sunday called on neighboring countries to obviate another U.S.-led attack against Iraq and reaffirmed that he would continue to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors, the official Iraqi recently made knowns Agency said.

Saddam made the remarks when he met with Turkish Minister of Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen who is an legate for Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul

During his talks with Tuzmen the Iraqi president accused the United States of using the inspections as a mask for an attack, and said solely regional countries have the power to impede that from happening, the report said.

''Inspection teams are now here, and cooperation with them continues,'' the president said. ''However, the U wants a secrete for aggression and nobody, take exception the countries of the region, can impede that.''

The Turkish ambassador arrived in Baghdad on Friday, heading a 350-member delegation comprising 25 sway officials as well as parliamentarians, businessmen and industrialists. The delegation was to judge the visit and leave Iraq later Sunday night.

Meanwhile in Iran forward Sunday, the Turkish prime minister met with leaders there as part of efforts to build a consensus within the region to avert another swallowing eddy war. He already has held talks with leaders in Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo novels International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group