Related Event: Iraq in Transition

The one-day conference, co-hosted by the EU and Washington, was called to show international solidarity with Iraq and offer reassurances in rebuilding the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari set out four top priorities: drafting a constitution and holding elections on time, securing the stability of the country, rebuilding the economy and healing ties with neighbors.

He asked for help training Iraq's military and for its neighbors to take serious action in controlling their borders to prevent insurgents from infiltrating Iraq.

The nations adopted a declaration of support, as well as promising aid and expertise.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, says he thinks the conference has achieved its goals.

"We affirmed our support for the transitional period with a view to creating an Iraq with stability, with democracy and with human rights and which can exercise its sovereignty. "

In return, world leaders asked Iraq to improve security, develop its economy and open political space for all Iraqis.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing elaborated on three suggestions. First, the principle of "running Iraq by Iraqis" should be observed in political affairs. On security, he says a comprehensive approach should be adopted. On economic reconstruction, he says the need to seek a sustainable development should be stressed.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed her concern on the security situation in the war-torn country.

"Terrorism can be defeated in Iraq, it will be defeated in Iraq and when it is defeated in Iraq - at the heart of the middle east - it will be a death-nell for terrorism as we know it."

International leaders are also urging Iraq's new Shiite-led government to include Sunni Muslims in the political process, a move seen as key to curbing the deadly rebel attacks.

Participants also committed to 32-million US dollars in pledges made at a donors' conference last year and repeated their commitments "to provide debt relief on generous terms."

Another donors' conference will be held in July in Amman, Jordan.

Xu Jun, CRI news, Brussels.