The former US president, Bill Clinton, said at a recent conference on Social Development that there is no military solution to the current situation in Iraq and called for renewed US diplomacy with neighbouring countries such as Syria and Iran.

Clinton, spoke at an event in Southern Africa for his foundation, and told an audience at the Nelson Mandela foundation that diplomacy and bilateral talks with Iraq's neighbours and allies were crucial if a solution to the current Middle East conflict was to be reached. "There is no military solution to this problem. This is a political conflict and America has to be involved in diplomacy with Iraq's neighbours," Clinton said. "I was thrilled when we met with Iran and Syria for talks and I am very disappointed that we haven't met again."

Clinton said the conflict in Iraq could only be resolved if Iraq's ethnic groups could reconcile differences and agree on a sharing of oil profits that could be met with understanding and acceptance from neighboring countries. Clinton said there was enough oil in Iraq to secure the welfare of Iraq's population but he highlighted the fact that Iraq's crude oil production capacity has yet to recover output levels posted prior to the ousting of Saddam Hussein.