ANKARA - Constitutional Monarchy Movement leader Al-Sharif Ali Bin Al-Hussein, one of Iraqi opponents, said on Tuesday that monarchy was the best method to settle democracy in Iraq.
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis received Al-Sharif who is currently in Turkey on a visit.
Addressing journalists following the meeting, Al-Sharif said, ''during the meeting, I conveyed our expectations about the future of Iraq to Mr. Yakis. I am pleased to see that we share the same target.''
Responding a question about the report of the United Nations weapon inspectors, which was submitted to the United Nations Security Council yesterday, Al-Sharif said, ''the report says that Iraq has not fully cooperated with the weapon inspectors. Iraqi people have lost 12 years because of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Now, Saddam Hussein will drag his people into a destructive war.''
Pointing out that he was holding contacts in Ankara for the first time, Al-Sharif responded a question about situation of the Turkmen in Iraq, ''the Turkmen people are citizens of Iraq. They should undertake important roles in the administration. Also, their rights should be protected under the Constitution.''
When asked whether or not he was in favor of monarchy in Iraq, Al-Sharif said, ''Iraqi people should decide this. According to my point of view, monarchy was the best method to settle democracy in Iraq.''
He added that the opponents in Iraq planned to hold their meeting in Northern Iraq in the second half of February.