United Nations: In view of unstable security conditions in Iraq and rising attacks against humanitarian workers, the United Nations is considering setting up "bases" from which its staff could pay regular visits to Baghdad for consultations and then return.

Amman, Cyprus, Jordan and Larnaca are being considered for the setting up of the regional offices.

In that scenario, "there would be constant back and forth and direct consultations with some people in Iraq. This is what we have in mind," Secretary-general Kofi Annan told reporters yesterday (November 21).

Annan said he would appoint his representative to handle the UN operations on the ground "fairly shortly" and someone to replace UN Envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello who was killed in the truck bomb attack on UN Baghdad headquarters along with 21 others on August 19.

Meanwhile, Annan has received a letter from Iraq's governing Council suggesting new political arrangements and asking for UN support.

The Security Council, he said, is awaiting a letter as current chairman of the Governing Council Jalal Talabani had indicated that one is being sent and "we are waiting to see what is in that document".

PTI