United Nations: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on March 28 that the United Nations must not cross the line by appearing to legitimise US-British action through its involvement in a post-war Iraq.

Speaking to reporters as he arrived at UN headquarters, Annan also said he hoped the Security Council would adopt a resolution temporarily giving him the authority to re- launch the stalled "oil-for-food" programme.

Some 60 per cent of the Iraqi population are dependent on the programme, and its suspension on March 18, a day before the US-led war began, sparked fears of a humanitarian crisis in Iraq.

"As far as resuming the operation on the ground, obviously the military situation will dictate how quickly we get back," Annan said.

"Of course," he added, "there are certain red lines for the Council which, as we move, everybody has to be aware of."

He said members of the Security Council had stressed to him that they "do not want to see this extended situation where the UN is subjected to the authority of a country or several countries".