Saudi plans Muslim troops in Iraq
Powell says Egypt, U.S. ties strong
From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal have met to discuss a Saudi proposal to send Muslim troops to Iraq.
Al-Faisal did not elaborate on the discussions.
A senior State Department officials said, "We're interested. It could be useful."
The official added that any new Arab and Muslim troops would supplement coalition troops, not replace them, but could reduce the need for so many troops as security is restored.
The Saudi initiative would involve Muslim nations that do not border Iraq, meaning Saudi troops would not be included.
This official said there are many details to be worked out to see if the plan would be viable, including command and control issues.
The United States is unlikely to cede command of the multi-national force before American troops leave Iraq.
The official said other questions remain, such as whether another U.N. resolution was needed, and whether other countries would be interested
The plan "may not mesh," the official said.
But a senior Saudi official told reporters the government would not be discussing the plan if there wasn't a good possibility of it materializing.
Arab sources tell CNN that talks on the plan are already under way with the United Nations. Those talks deal with the parameters that would apply, they said, and details would still need to be worked out.
Insurgents in Iraq have warned Arab nations that they would oppose Muslim troops just as they currently oppose Western troops in the country.
Adel Al-Jubair, foreign policy adviser to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, said in addition to the "tremendous" desire in the Arab and Muslim world at large to help the Iraqi people, the proposal also serves Saudi interests.
"We are doing this because instability in Iraq has a negative impact on Saudi Arabia and stability in Iraq has a very positive impact on Saudi Arabia," he said. "We want to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible."
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the United States has been discussing the plan with Saudi officials and others about how to facilitate the possible deployment of troops.
"The goal that they have is to help Iraqis establish security. That is a goal we support and we will keep talking to them about it," Boucher said.
A senior Saudi official told reporters Riyadh has already been in touch with Iraqi officials, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and key Arab and Muslim states over the past several weeks.
Arab sources say those countries include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mayalsia, Indonesia, Algeria, Morocco and India -- many of which have been sent letters by interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi asking for troops, but which have balked at U.S. requests in the past.
A Saudi official told CNN that the principles discussed to entice countries to sign on, include:
That the troops must be invited by the Iraqi governmentThey would be under U.N. commandThey would replace a comparable number of coalition forcesSuch conditions could sway public opinion in the Arab world, which is skeptical of sending troops to what is still perceived by many as an American-led occupation.
Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Powell visited Egypt, which renewed its offer to help train Iraqi security forces.
The Egyptian government has already made the offer directly to Allawi, and a senior State Department official said the Iraqis and the Egyptians would work out the details together.
Powell will meet with Allawi Thursday in Jeddah.
The senior official said Powell will be discussing a variety of issues in Jeddah, including Iraq, the Palestinian situation, and the G8 initiative for reform in the Middle East. Powell will meet with political reform groups Thursday.
But the main reason for Powell's trip is "a show of support for their fight against terrorism," the official said.
The official said that "stability in the region and in Saudi Arabia," is another important theme Powell will discuss with Saudi leaders, including Crown Prince Abdullah and the ailing King Fahd, with whom he will have a rare, brief meeting.
Powell will tell Saudis, "the more you do" on Iraq, terrorism and the Palestinian issue, "the better it is for all of us," the senior official said.
Powell met with Egyptian leaders in Cairo, on Wednesday, affirming the nations will work together to address Sudan's humanitarian crisis, Mideast peace and security in Iraq. (Powell: Egypt, U.S. ties strong)
After his visit to Saudi Arabia, Powell heads to Kuwait and Poland before returning to Washington on Sunday, according to the State Department's Web site.
CNN's Elise Labott contributed to this report.
