KUWAIT CITY - Diplomats from major Western powers and countries neighbouring Iraq met in Kuwait on Monday to prepare for a ministerial conference on the war-battered nation, officials said.
The diplomats were to discuss a joint declaration expected to be adopted by the foreign ministers when they meet on Tuesday.
Foreign ministers, or their representatives, from 23 countries -- Iraq, its neighbours, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the remaining G8 industrial nations -- are due to attend the conference.
Iran, which is vehemently opposed to the US military presence in Iraq, will be represented by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, according to organisers, while US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will also attend.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is to lead his country's delegation.
Kuwaiti foreign ministry official Khaled al-Jarallah told reporters on Monday that all the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will join the conference for the first time.
In the two previous conferences, only Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain took part. This time, they will be joined by the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar.
Other participants include the British and French foreign ministers and secretaries general of the Arab League, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and GCC.
At the conference, the third of its kind, Iraq is expected to urge Gulf states to forgive billions of dollars owed from loans and to upgrade their diplomatic representation in Baghdad.
Gulf states, especially OPEC members Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, agreed several years ago to forgive a substantial part of Iraqi debt, estimated to total tens of billions of dollars. Iraq wants this to be translated into action.
Rice, who will arrive from nearby Bahrain after a meeting Arab allies, is also expected to urge the Arab states to boost their diplomatic presence in Iraq to counter the influence of Shiite Iran on Maliki's government.
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah said on Sunday that the emirate will soon send an ambassador to Baghdad and was looking for a building within the high security Green Zone.
A meeting will be held on the sidelines of the conference to discuss Lebanon's political crisis, Jarallah said without providing details.
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04/21/2008 11:30 GMT