The foreign ministers of France and Britain reached an agreement here Wednesday that the United Nations should play an important role in post-war Iraq.
In a statement made at a joint press conference with his British counterpart, Jack Straw, French Foreign Minister Dominiquede Villepin stressed that the United Nations must have a "central place" in Iraqi reconstruction.
The two countries agreed that the United Nations has its full place in the process, said the minister.
He added that Paris hoped the conflict would end as quickly as possible, saying the international community has to take actions to deal with the humanitarian risk in the country.
On his part, Straw said Britain and the United States are committed to a vital role for the United Nations in post-war Iraq.
On Tuesday, US President George W. Bush said the United Nations will play a "vital role" in Iraq after the war.
Speaking at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush said, "When we say vital role for the United Nations we mean vital role for the United Nations in all aspects of the mission."
(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2003)
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