BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 3 (UPI) -- New Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer Thursday demanded a "road map" for peace in Iraq based on national reconciliation between the various factions.
"We call for surveying the political map in Iraq in order to be able to draw a road map for peace that reflects the national aspirations of our people," al-Yawer said in an interview with Beirut's daily An-Nahar.
He said a broad-based national reconciliation would provide a strong basis for building a new Iraq.
"An all-out reconciliation means restructuring the forces of the society and reintegrating the remnants of the bygone Baath regime who were not involved in crimes," al-Yawer said.
"Rebuilding a free and independent Iraq on democratic bases will take time especially dealing with the leftovers and heritage of the ousted Baath regime."
He said the new Iraq "will be a friend of its neighbors and all Arabs as we do not want it to be a pad for launching hostilities against anyone."
He also deplored Iraq's need for the assistance of multinational forces to help restore peace and order until Iraqi security forces can do the job on their own.
