United Nations: The US has suggested establishment of a multinational force purely dedicated to providing security to the UN staff and facilities in Iraq and urged member States to contribute troops to it.

The new force is envisaged to be a separate entity but under overall command of the US-led forces now trying to stabilise the situation in Iraq. The US and Britain are said to be already working on a resolution to authorise such a force and it is yet unclear what its strength would be.

"With the support of the United Nations, the United States has begun to solicit force contributions for the protection of a broad-based UN mission whose role will be further defined by the Security Council action," American UN Ambassador John D Negroponte said yesterday (Apr 16, 2004).

"I believe that I do not overstate the broad desire within the international community for the United Nations to return to Iraq to play an expansive, robust and vital role, in particular after the June 30 transition" to Iraqi sovereignty, Negroponte said in an open briefing to the Security Council, urging countries to contribute troops for the effort.

Negroponte has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Paul Bremer III, current top American administrator in Iraq, after the US-led coalition hands over sovereignty to Iraqi interim Government.

But diplomats said there is urgency for creation of such a force as the UN officials would need to move into Iraq fast if the elections are to be held before the end of January next year as planned. The world body estimates that it would take eight months to organise elections.