Bush to send envoys to Arab capitals

Bush says a stable Iraq is in the strategic interests of Arab nations

The US plans to send several envoys to Arab states to urge them increase their support for Iraq and reopen their embassies in Bahdad.

On Thursday, President Bush ordered Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, and Ryan C. Croker, the country's ambassador to Baghadad, to stop over in Saudi Arabia on their way back to Iraq to persuade the Riyadh officials to render an overall support for Iraq, New York Times reported on Friday.

Bush had also ordered senior American diplomats to the Middle East countries to confer with leaders of Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to urge them to reopen their embassies in Baghdad.

He announced that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would attend a conference later this month in Kuwait for neighboring states and another in Stockholm for nations helping Iraq rebuild its economy.

“A stable, successful, independent Iraq is in the strategic interests of Arab nations,” Bush said at the White House. “And all who want peace in the Middle East should support a stable, democratic Iraq.” Link