AMMAN, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordan's government has expressed itsconcern over the current security situation in Iraq, saying it might hinder efforts to hold elections there, the Jordan Times reported Tuesday.

    "We hope Iraqis will overcome their security challenges and be able to vote as scheduled in late January," government spokeswoman Asma Khader was quoted as saying.

    She called on the international community to make efforts to help Iraqis hold the elections.

    On Sunday, the interim Iraqi government set Jan. 30, 2005 as theelections date, and said that voting would take place throughout the country despite rising violence.

    An international conference on Iraq will be held at the EgyptianRed Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh later in the day to press Baghdadto broaden the political process to prevent a disgruntled Sunni minority from boycotting the vote due to US assaults on the restivecity of Fallujah and other Iraqi cities. Enditem