BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (Saba) -- Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki, reading his government program before the parliament Tuesday, called for resolving outstanding issues with neighboring countries, caused by the defunct regime, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

The 43-article program is based on building an independent, democratic, federal, multi-party and sovereign Iraq in order to regain normal position regionally and internationall, he said.

The government, he added, would attach great importance to having excellent relations with neighboring countries.

The government program, said Al-Maliki, emphasizes on "working relentlessly to achieving the best relations with Iraq's Arab surrounding and to open to the world." He called for solving sticky issues with neighboring countries. The thorny problems were caused by the former regime in Baghdad.

Al-Maliki said his government would work on following up with "security, political and diplomatic successes ... and lifting the international sanctions imposed on Iraq because of policies of the defunct regime." Calling for political stability and enlarging participation in the political process, Al-Maliki called for respect of human rights and freedom of expression.

He rejected terrorism and discrimination, while calling for confronting sectarianism and guaranteeing independence of judiciary.

Al-Maliki said his government was determined to fighting financial and administration corruption, improving education and scientific research.

Saba