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United Nations: UN Security Council members seemed poised for fresh strife over Washington's resolution to lift the 13-year old sanctions against Baghdad as Russia, France and China are demanding major alterations in the revised draft resolution.

The major concern of the three were regarding role of the United Nations, which they want to be further enhanced and over method of phasing out of the 'oil-for-food' programme, under which Iraq sold oil to finance purchase of food, medicines and other essential commodities, but under strict supervision of the world body.

Then there are issues of transparency about the way the "occupying powers" would rule Iraq.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell on May 16 said in Berlin that the Council would reach a deal within the next few days or weeks on the resolution, which demands the immediate lifting of sanctions against Baghdad.

The Council has to take a decision by the end of this month as the current phase of 'oil-for-food' programme expires early June.

Diplomats said that the five permanent veto wielding members – the US, Britain, Russia, France and China – were expected to meet separately to discuss the phasing out of 'oil-for-food' programme, which still has about $ 13 billion in the escrow account run by the UN. The money would be controlled by the US and Britain under the resolution.

Russia has several outstanding contracts, which it signed with the Saddam Hussein government and sources at the UN say that Washington and Moscow are expected to come to an understanding, which would allow Russian contracts to be honoured.

PTI