United Nations: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan opined that the responsibility for stabilising the situation in Iraq rested with all countries.

"All of us should accept the responsibility to stabilise Iraq. It is in the interest not only of Iraq," but of the entire region, Annan said on July 16 after closed-door consultations at the Security Council.

Annan indicated that he had discussed the issue of internationalising the US-led force currently in Iraq with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and members of the US Congress on July 14.

He said the issue was not included in a report that UN envoy to Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello was to present to the Council.

"All Council members have to be consulted," said the Secretary General.

Several countries, including India, Germany and France, indicated they would not be sending troops to Iraq without a specific mandate from the United Nations.

On July 16, the US Ambassador to the United Nations John Negroponte disputed assertions that such a mandate was necessary.

"We feel for any country that has the political desire or the political will to contribute forces for stabilisation in Iraq there is ample scope within the existing framework of Resolution 1483."

In May, the resolution defining the role of the United Nations in post-war Iraq was adopted.

Agencies