The Iraqi Islamic Reconciliation conference (IIRC) due in Amman on April 22 will focus on the religious dimension of the Iraqi crisis and "Shiite-Sunni issue will figure high," Jordanian government spokesman Abdul-Salam Abbadi said on Tuesday.

Abbadi told reporters that the main objective of the conference is to emphasize Iraq's unity and avoid further escalation that could lead to sectarian strife.

The political solution of the Iraqi crisis will not succeed unless a religious solution is reached, therefore the success of the conference depends on the participation of religious leaders, Abbadi said.

Referring to representatives, he said that none of Iraq's religious leaders, who were invited to the conference, sent an apology for not coming, and if anyone is really unable to attend the conference, there will be someone else to represent him.

The conference is scheduled to last for two days, but the participants will have complete freedom to take the time they need to negotiate details, according to the spokesman.

(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2006)