United Nations: Hussain al-Shahrestani, a Iraqi nuclear scientist who defied Saddam Hussein, has declined to become the Prime Minister in the interim Government, saying he would prefer to serve the war-ravaged country in other ways.

A day after Shahrestani's name was given out by American sources, the UN said the Shiite scientist himself clarified that he would prefer to serve his country and not take up the post of Prime Minister.

However, the UN confirmed that Secretary General's special envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi had met him on several occasions.

Brahimi thinks "very highly of him, values his advice, and has no doubt that Mr. Shahristani could serve his country well in a number of positions in Government" the UN spokesman in Baghdad said. His statement was made available at the headquarters.

Shahrestani had fallen out with Saddam Hussein over the nuclear weapons issue and was then imprisoned in the now infamous Abu Ghraib prison.

The "clarification" by UN came as members of the Security Council began closed-door consultations yesterday (May 26, 2004) on the draft resolution on granting sovereignty to Iraq submitted by US and Britain. But there was little movement forward.

The consultations, diplomats said, are taking place in capitals where the final decision would be taken.