Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara told the UN Security Council on Friday that weapons inspectors in Iraq must be given more time to complete their work.
"Inspections are bringing about important results, dialogue, cooperation and mutual confidence between the inspectors and Iraq," he said.
"The council must therefore continue to support the inspectors and allow them sufficient time to undertake their task," he said following the latest report by UN weapons inspectors.
"The majority, the great majority of people in the world, are saying no to this war," he said. "It will spill over to the entire region. The war will lead to total anarchy, benefiting solely those who take it upon themselves to spread fear and destruction everywhere."
"Aren't many justified to wonder also whether such policies are indicative of double standards," he said, accusing advocates of war of pursuing a "hidden agenda" in the Middle East.
Shara threw Syria's support behind a French proposal to bolster the inspectors who are searching for any banned nuclear, biological or chemical weapons in Iraq. "We support the French ideas because they are an alternative to war," he said.
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
