"Jordanian King Abdullah II is very much interested in having the Jordanian people standing by their Iraqi brethren at this stage, offering them every possible assistance to enable them to rule themselves," Moasher said in a statement, quoted by Jordan's official Petra news agency.

"Jordan's priority at this stage is to stand by Iraq and its people ... It is the Iraqi people and not anybody else who should determine the future of Iraq," said the statement, issued after a meeting between Moasher and EU Mideast special envoy Miguel Moratinos.

Jordan would assume its responsibility to help secure basic needs for the Iraqi people, including food and medical supplies, he added.

Moasher also said it is necessary for the Arab world to play an effective role side by side with the international community and the United Nations to help Iraq in post-war era.

Moasher's remarks came at a time when looting, anarchy gripped the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Wednesday following coalition troops' thrust into the heart of the city.

Amid signs of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's crippling rule, looters ransacked government buildings in Baghdad Wednesday morning while many residents took to the streets to welcome US troops.

The Moasher-Moratinos talks focused on the Mideast peace process, an issue that occupies the mind of every Arab "particularly with approaching of the formation of a new Palestinian government," the statement said.

Jordan would pursue its efforts aimed at ending Israel's occupation within a three-year timeline, it said, adding that "It is high time for eventual and serious implementation that leads to ending this occupation."

Defying international opposition, the United States and Britain launched a war against Iraq on March 20 in a bid to topple Saddam.

Iraq has denounced the invaders as "criminals" and "villains," while urging the international community to stop the "aggression" unconditionally.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2003)