Iraq PM appeals for global aid for reconciliation

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shakes hands with Nuri Kamel al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq, at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, Sept. 22, 2007.(Xinhua Photo)

An annual debate continues this morning at the UN General Assembly. Iraq's Prime Minister says his country is not prepared to give up its hard fought democracy.

Iraqi prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki, whose country is now the focus of world attention stressed the importance of national reconciliation, saying it is not the responsibility of the Iraqi government alone.

He pointed out his government has taken the initiative to improve its relationship with neighboring countries, but it rejects any outside interference into its internal affairs.

Al-Maliki has called on the global community to help end sectarian violence and to build a modern state.

Al-Maliki said, "This Iraq will not retreat from its democratic choice for which our people have paid a very high price. It's a position that necessitates the support and co-operation from the world's nations, so Iraq can build a modern state that guarantees justice, equality and a respect for religious, intellectual, sectarian and ethnic pluralism."