United Nations: The UN Security Council has unanimously approved a US-British resolution endorsing return of sovereignty to Iraq's interim Government after the June 30 handover and establishing a multinational force under American command.

The vote came yesterday (June 8, 2004) after days of negotiations during which the United States modified the resolution four times but did not concede anything on its basic elements.

The resolution also lays down a timetable for various steps leading to installation of a democratically elected Government by Jan 2006.

The interim Government would take over on June 30 when the Coalition Authority would be dissolved.

The resolution gives the caretaker Government control of its own forces that would coordinate with the multinational force for any major and sensitive operations.