Media cautious on Iraq conference

Commentators in the Middle East react with caution to proposals for a regional meeting next week aimed at stabilising Iraq.

Some - including Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari - welcome the US administration's acknowledgment of the need for Iranian and Syrian involvement, and express the hope that US participation could herald the start of a new relationship with Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki this week invited neighbouring countries and world powers to a meeting in Baghdad on 10 March, saying he hoped it would help bring reconciliation and support for his government.

IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER ZEBARI INTERVIEWED ON AL-JAZEERA TV

We want Iraq to change from its being a contentious issue in the conflict of interests among the neighbouring countries, the Iraqi government, and big powers, including the United States, to an issue where interests converge and unite. This can take place by sitting together and discussing things.

IRAN'S VOICE OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Without a doubt, the invitation by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Iran and Syria to attend an international conference on Iraqi security could be a starting point for a change of American attitude to Iran and an indication of acceptance by the Bush administration of the reality of the Islamic Republic... Although Iran is quite willing to relieve the pains of the Iraqi Muslims one way or another, and to that end may attend the conference, the real intentions of the American administration remain suspicious.

IRAN'S AL-VEFAGH

Western media highlighted Iranian agreement to attend the conference in an attempt to include it on the list of US achievements. The reality differs from what the Americans would like the world to believe. Iran's participation is not out of the desire to talk to Washington or out of the hope of correcting a disastrous military mentality. Iran, with this decision, has proved its good intentions towards Iraq's interests, freedom and independence and territorial integrity.

IRAN'S E'TEMAD-E MELLI

The majority of countries taking part in the Iraq conference stress the need for a diplomatic and peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear issue. They also hope Tehran and Washington can reach a comprehensive agreement.

IRAN'S TEHRAN-E-EMRUZ

America has finally agreed to negotiate with Iran and Syria about Iraq's crisis. America is so powerful that it can topple Saddam in 20 days, but it is not powerful enough to secure the country.

SAUDI ARABIA'S AL-RIYAD

The US meeting with Syria and Iran may be the lifeboat that gets the US out of Iraq with some success and some moral gains.

JORDAN'S JORDAN TIMES

News that the US is to attend a conference in Baghdad that includes all Iraq's neighbours, even Syria and Iran, is welcome indeed. It is late. Washington has resisted a regional solution to the debacle the US created in Iraq for far too long, but better now than never.

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.