The Baghdad conference has served as a platform for participants to make efforts to restore peace and stability in Iraq, Chinese experts said.

"Evincing a spirit of reconciliation and co-operation, the willingness of all the parties, particularly the United States, Iran and Syria to sit at the same table has itself sent a positive signal," Gong Shaopeng, a professor with China Foreign Affairs University, told China Daily.

"The consensus on the launch of another regional meeting and setting up working groups on border security, fuel imports and refugees is constructive to rally regional support and stem the sectarian violence in Iraq," said Yin Gang, a senior researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

According to Gong, it came as no surprise that there is a wide gulf between Washington and Teheran over the nature of the crisis and the ways to end it during the meeting. Washington has repeatedly accused Iran and Syria of fomenting violence in Iraq, charges both countries deny.

It is unrealistic to expect the meeting to solve all problems, the experts said, adding that Washington's changed policies toward the two countries may help them to play a role in easing the situation in Iraq.

The meeting appeared at least to thwart deepening tensions among the parties and was a vote of confidence for Iraq's stability, they said.

(China Daily March 12, 2007)