UN mission in Iraq to have enhanced political role

Aug 7, 2007, 17:43 GMT

New York - The United Nations Security Council plans to give its mission in Iraq a more important role in assisting the Iraqi government by promoting national dialogue and political reconciliation in addition to the reconstruction of the war-torn nation, diplomats said Tuesday.

A draft resolution, expected to be voted on on Thursday by the 15- nation council, calls for giving the UN special representative in Iraq an enhanced mandate to 'advise, support and assist' the Iraqi government.

The draft calls for extending the UN mission for one year when its current mandate expires on Thursday.

US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters that the draft was a 'balanced' text that has received support from council members and the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

'The UN needs to play an enhanced role in helping Iraq overcome the difficulties it is having at the present time,' Khalilzad said.

US President George W Bush's administration has been pushing for a larger UN role in Iraq as the US-led multinational forces have become bogged down in fighting insurgent troops and Baghdad has been unable to hold together the different factions in the Iraqi government.

Khalilzad, who was the US ambassador in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, said one major internal problem in Iraq is the sharing of political power while its neighbours have so far failed to agree on ways to assist the beleaguered Iraqi nation.

Other problems include the humanitarian and refugee situation, he said.

The draft calls for the UN mission to assist Baghdad in advancing inclusive, national dialogue and political reconciliation; organize elections and facilitate regional dialogue, including on issues of border security, energy and refugees.

The UN mission will also provide assistance for a comprehensive census, the orderly return of refugees and the implementation of the International Compact, an economic programme for Iraq that has received wide support and billions of dollars.

The UN mission will also promote the protection of human rights and embark on reforming Iraq's judicial and legal systems.

The mission's international staff of 65 will be increased to 95 to handle the new tasks and a new UN special representative is expected to be appointed soon to replace the current one, Ashraf Qasi of Pakistan, whose term is expiring.