United Nations: In a stand that tacitly supported American position, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari virtually rejected the suggestions by France, Russia, China and Germany that the new UN resolution should fix a deadline for withdrawal of US-led multinational forces and that interim Government should have veto on their operations.

Zebari, who briefly addressed the UN Security Council yesterday (June 3, 2004) and then answered questions from members, said that a fixed deadline or timetable for withdrawal of multinational forces would be used by the "enemies" to create unrest.

"I stress that any premature departure of international troops would lead to chaos and the real possibility of a civil war in Iraq," he said.

Striking a balance, Zebari said the US-led forces should be "regulated" in a way that neither the Iraqi sovereignty nor their right to defend themselves is compromised.

"I think that we are going to need these forces for sometime but as a sovereign Government, it cannot be open forever. They are not going to stay indefinitely," he told the Council members.

The new US-UK sponsored draft resolution does not give a specific date for the withdrawal of the forces but says their mandate would end when the Government elected under new constitution is established by January 2006.

On the issue of an Iraq veto over operations by the multinational force, Zebari was very cautious, saying the Iraqis should have a say in major operations. But he did not endorse the views of the critics of the resolution that interim Government should have veto.

Zebari wanted the resolution to specify the relationship between the multinational force and the Iraqi Government to ensure that Iraqi sovereignty is not compromised and the force is able to defend itself.

He also wanted the resolution to provide for "transfer of full sovereignty to the people of Iraq" and ensure that the interim Government, which takes over on June 30, enjoys control over Iraqi assets.

Under the current plan, the interim Government would help organise elections for a provisional Government by the end of this year. The provisional Government would draw up a constitution and elections under the new constitution are slated for Dec 2005 or Jan 2006.

One of the aims of the resolution is to define the powers of the interim Government which will take office on June 30.

Zebari earlier had discussions with several Council members on the resolution which is intended to give legitimacy to transfer of sovereignty by the US led Coalition to the new Iraqi Government and establish a multinational force under the US control.

Though the US and Britain would like the resolution to be adopted earliest, other Council members do not seem to be in a hurry. They want to hear from top UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who helped to put the interim Government together, and other members of the Government as also assess the view of the people.