United Nations: The entire United Nations staff, including weapons inspectors and humanitarian personnel, are being pulled out of Iraq and relocated following the US directive to the world body to remove them from the country ahead of a possible war.

That would shut down the humanitarian programmes, including the 'oil for food' programme, as there would not be any monitors to oversee it.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan decided to ask the inspectors to withdraw keeping in view their safety and informed the Security Council on March 18.

They are expected to pulled out on March 18.

Annan told reporters that the UN is not abandoning the Iraqi people and it would be there to undertake humanitarian tasks as soon as the conditions permit.

Meanwhile, the UN is helping Jordan to prepare for influx of refugees from Iraq in case of war.

Some 6,00,000 Iraqis are expected to cross over to neighbouring countries, including Jordan and Turkey, if conflict breaks out.

PTI