G8 leaders pledge to rebuild Iraq

World leaders closed their annual summit today by pledging a united effort to rebuild Iraq and fight the threat of nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea.

The Group of Eight – the world’s seven richest countries and Russia – sought to overcome their bitter divisions over the US-led war in Iraq by declaring that they were united on efforts to reconstruct the country.

The statement delivered by summit host French President Jacques Chirac said the G8 leaders “share the conviction that the time has now come to build peace and reconstruct Iraq”.

“Our shared objective is a fully sovereign, stable and democratic Iraq,” the G8 leaders declared.