United Nations: UN Security Council on April 24 voted unanimously to extend the authorisation to the Secretary General Kofi Annan to run 'oil-for-food' programme for Iraq till June 3.

The current phase of the programme ends on June 3, after which the Council would be required to adopt another resolution extending or amending the programme.

The resolution authorises Annan to prioritise and distribute food, medicines and other essential humanitarian commodities already in the pipeline, but does not allow him sign new contracts.

The supplies in the pipeline were contracted by the Saddam Hussein regime before the American led military action began.

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Speaking to reporters after the meeting, American Ambassador John Negroponte once again called for lifting of the sanctions against Iraq to enable Iraqis to have control over their own resources.

The Council, on March 28, authorised Annan to review nearly $ 16 billion in contracts already approved under the UN oil-for-food programme and give priority to those that could be used immediately for humanitarian relief.

It empowered Annan to take practical decisions about the contracts for 45 days, but UN officials said the May 12 dead line was too short.

Benon Sevan, who runs the oil-for-food program, urged the council on April 22 to extend the Secretary General's mandate until June 3 to try to get more aid into Iraq.

PTI