Bigger UN political role in Iraq

The Security Council voted yesterday to give the UN an expanded political role in Iraq, promoting reconciliation between its rival factions and dialogue with neighbouring countries.

The 15-nation council unanimously approved a US-British resolution boosting the responsibilities of the four-year-old UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, or Unami, whose existing mandate expired yesterday.

US and British officials have denied that their aim is to offload Iraq's political problems onto the UN, then pull their forces out. But they want the UN to take a shot at peace, especially in recruiting help from neighbouring nations.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has initiated a compact for Iraq with regional states that sets benchmarks for Baghdad in exchange for debt forgiveness and other aid.

As architect of the resolution, US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said the unanimous approval showed "a new page had been turned in regard to the Security Council's role in Iraq," a reference to the council's refusal to approve the US-led invasion in 2003.

"This resolution underscores the widespread belief that what happens in Iraq has strategic implications not only for the region, but for the entire world," he said.

Mr Khalilzad said he hoped the world body would convene meetings among political factions "and propose bridging formulas," as well as make sure Baghdad's neighbours "assist the Iraqis in overcoming their difficulties."

The UN has had a muted political role in Iraq for the past few years. The resolution gives it a larger mandate to lead efforts in uniting Iraq's feuding factions.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari made clear in a letter to Mr Ban, however, that any UN action needed "prior consent" of the Iraqi government.

Mr Ban, in answer to questions, emphasized "promoting and encouraging political facilitation and dialogue among different factions and ethnic religious groups" as UN duties.

Pakistani Ashraf Qazi ends his term in Iraq as chief UN envoy later this year, but a replacement has not been named. Mr Khalilzad said Staffan De Mistura, a Swedish national who last served in Lebanon for the world body, was "the likely person to be selected" but the decision was up to Mr Ban.

Another candidate is Radu Onofrei, a former Romanian envoy to several Middle East nations, UN officials said.