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Annan seeks clearer U.N. role in Iraq

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan

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UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The United Nations will aid Iraq's transition from occupation to sovereignty but needs greater clarity about what role it can play, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday.

In an address to the U.N. Security Council, Annan said the capture of ousted Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein over the weekend is "an opportunity for a new beginning" in Iraq. However, the country remains a "difficult environment" for U.N. international staff, he said.

"In taking the difficult decisions that lie ahead, I need to weigh the degree of risk that the United Nations is being asked to accept against the substance of the role we are being asked to fulfill," Annan said.

"I therefore need to know how responsibilities will be allocated and who will be taking what decisions."

Annan said the process leading to the formation of a new government must be "fully inclusive and transparent" and allow all segments of Iraq's population to feel represented.

"We need much greater clarity on what is expected of the United Nations by Iraqis and by the coalition in terms of assistance to the political transition," Annan said.

The United States, which led the coalition invasion of Iraq in March in the face of many nations' opposition, has said it will hand over power to an Iraqi provisional government by the end of June.

Iraqi interim Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that Iraq will select a parliament through regional caucuses in March and then the assembly will choose a government.

The world body withdrew its international staff from Iraq after an August bombing that killed Annan's special representative, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 others. De Mello's replacement, Ross Mountain, will operate from Cyprus until security in Iraq improves, Annan announced last week.

Zebari urged a quick return of U.N. staff to aid in the transition, offering to provide security for them, and he asked member states to put aside their divisions over the U.S.-led invasion to "pull together and work with us."

"The U.N. must not fail the Iraqi people again," he said. "After eight months of liberation, Iraqis are slowly beginning to get back on their feet with the help of their allied friends, and they are eagerly awaiting the help of the international community led by the United Nations."


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