Norway has granted 160 million Norwegian kroner (US $21,622,790), to help alleviate humanitarian needs resulting from war in Iraq, the Royal Norwegian Embassy announced in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Sunday. The contribution will be shared by the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and NGOs.
In a statement to the Norwegian parliament in Oslo, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said that the UN must be given the main responsibility for humanitarian efforts in Iraq. He added that Norway favours resumption of the Oil-for-Food Programme.
Bondevik further stated that his country could not support the war as there had been no decision by the UN Security Council giving military action a firm basis in international law. He noted that Norway would seek to contribute towards stabilising the entire Middle East region, including progress in the deadlocked conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
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