Iraq National Conference To Begin Sunday, Official Confirms

BAGHDAD, Aug 14 (AFP) - Iraq's much-anticipated national conference, seen as a major experiment in democracy, will open Sunday, the president of the preparatory committee confirmed Saturday.
"There was concern during the past few days that the conference would be delayed, but it will start tomorrow at 11:00 am (0700 GMT)," Fuad Maassum told reporters.
Maassum again invited Moqtada Sadr to attend the conference, although the radical Shiite cleric, has previously rejected the invitation.
More than a week of fighting between Sadr's Mehdi Army militia and US-backed Iraqi forces had stopped on Friday to pave the way for the truce talks.
"I invite the Sadr camp to attend the conference," Maassum said.
The official said the conference will be a chance to solve the country's conflicts. "It will be a chance to stem the bloodshed and solve many of the current problems," he said.
The conference is a major experiment to appoint a legislative body for Iraq's interim government.
It was delayed late last month at the request of UN chief Kofi Annan to allow more time for boycotting politicians to be persuaded to participate.