Middle East nations began debating post-Saddam Hussein Iraq yesterday as the United States forged ahead with its own plans for a nation crushed by war.
Among eight countries at the first postwar regional forum was Syria, accused by Washington of sheltering Saddam aides and developing chemical weapons. Syria denies both charges.
The Riyadh meeting was hosted by Saudi Arabia to discuss the implications for the region of the crushing US victory. Foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbours Turkey, Iran, Syria, Kuwait and Jordan as well as Egypt and Bahrain attended.
An opening statement read at the talks criticised what it said were US threats against Syria and called for the US-led occupation of Iraq to be as brief as possible.
"We abolutely refuse the recent threat against Syria which can only increase the likelihood of a new circle of war and hatred, especially in light of the continuing deterioration of the Palestinian situation," said the statement read out by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.
"We call on the United States to use dialogue with Syria and to activate the (Middle East) peace process," it said, welcoming a possible visit to Syria by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"The United Nations should have a central role not only in humanitarian and economic issues but also in building post-war Iraq.
"In order for US forces to withdraw as soon as possible, we call on the occupying authority to set up a transitional government quickly and make all efforts to set up a broad-based constitutional Iraqi government," the statement said.
Egypt and Syria said the meeting would ask the United States and Britain to end their occupation of Iraq immediately to pave the way for a government chosen by Iraqis.
Turkey, however, said it would focus on reconstruction efforts given US reluctance to give the United Nations and the international community a say in Iraq's political future.
Barring Syria and Iran, all participants are key US allies that offered some form of support for the invasion.
But they all fear the United States will install a puppet regime in Iraq which would ally itself with their foe Israel.
"We'll discuss ways and means to help the Iraqi people decide their own future and choose their own government without foreign intervention," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher told reporters before the talks began.
"This is Iraq, not the United States, so it is normal that the government of Iraq should be Iraqi. Isn't it logical?"
Concerns about Iraq's political future - and its implications for their own security - drove the eight nations to meet despite decades of mutual mistrust, analysts say.
None of them had any love for President Saddam, whose three decades in power were ended this month by the US-led war on Iraq, but now they all want a say in filling the vacuum.