Jordan discusses forthcoming polls in Iraq with top UN envoy

Amman - Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh met Wednesday with special UN envoy in Iraq Ad Melkert, stressing the need for the participation of all shades of the Iraqi political spectrum in the January general elections. "Judeh underlined the importance of the forthcoming general elections as one of the pillars of the political operation in Iraq, urging the participation of all Iraqi citizens in the polling process," a foreign ministry statement said.

The Jordanian foreign minister assured the UN envoy that Amman would do its best to ensure that all facilities, particularly in education and health , were being extended to about 500,000 Iraqis currently living in Jordan.

From his part, Melkert expressed the world community's praise for all efforts and burdens shouldered by Jordan in hosting such a large number of Iraqis, who had fled after the US-led invasion in 2003.