With the fall of Saddam Hussein's 24-year regime dramatically changing the face of the region, the countries aim to have their say in forming a new national government in Baghdad and limit the presence of US forces there.

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Maher gathered in the Saudi capital ahead of the meeting due to begin at 1400 GMT.

The foreign ministers of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Turkey were to follow.

Beyond debating their neighbour's new political landscape, the ministers were also expected to discuss ways to restore stability in Baghdad.

Maher said upon arrival in Riyadh that Egypt rejected the appointment of a US military ruler in Iraq, adding that no government in Baghdad would be recognized until it reflected the free will of the Iraqi people.

He called for an end to the US occupation and urged the occupation forces to respect the Geneva Conventions in restoring law and order to Iraq.

Maher also called for respecting Iraq's unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty. "We will discuss the way to help Iraq get out of its crisis," said the Egyptian foreign minister.

He also rejected US threats against Syria and expressed Cairo's solidarity with Damascus.

The conference is expected to issue a declaration rejecting US threats against Syria and calling for the Iraqi people to be allowed to run their own affairs.

According to government officials, the ministers will meet Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the kingdom's de facto ruler, and might also pay a courtesy call on the ailing King Fahd before opening their conference.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has said the "emergency regional conference" was called "in response to the current circumstances and developments in Iraq, which affect the Iraqi people in particular, and (have) repercussions on the countries of the region in general."

The ministers will also focus on much-needed humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people especially in the medical sector.

Saudi Arabia has already announced 80 million dollars in emergency assistance to Iraq ordered by King Fahd.

Iraq's neighbours will likewise discuss the impact of the new geopolitical realities in the region brought about by the ouster of Saddam's regime and the presence of hundreds of thousands of US and British troops in and around Iraq.

The eight countries are expected to discuss how to deal with a US military administration which Washington is preparing to install in Baghdad.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- called after an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh Tuesday for the establishment of a national Iraqi government from a broad political spectrum.

SPACE.WIRE