UN hosts key conference on Iraq

Envoys from nearly 100 countries are gathering in Sweden for a UN forum on economic and political reform in Iraq.

The UN called the conference outside Stockholm to review a five-year package it brokered last year, called the International Compact with Iraq.

Iraq is expected to push for debt relief, while the US has urged Iraq's friends to stay the course.

However, correspondents say progress on security, the economy and political reform in Iraq remains fragile.

On the eve of the forum the largest Sunni Muslim bloc suspended talks on rejoining Iraq's Shia-led government.

Grounds for optimism

The UN conference in Upplands Vasby, about 25km (15 miles) north of Stockholm, is taking place amid high security.

A number of demonstrations are planned in the Stockholm area and close to the conference centre against the continued US presence in Iraq.

The gathering follows up a conference in May 2007 at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the Iraq Compact was launched.