United Nations, Aug 20: The UN Security Council today went into closed-door discussions that will be dominated by the situation in Iraq following the deadly bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. The meeting was expected to focus on the security of UN staff -- already a subject of some controversy between the United Nations and the US-led forces occupying Iraq. "We will discuss recent developments, and we may listen to some proposals," said Fayssal Mekdad, the Deputy Ambassador from Syria, which currently holds the council's rotating presidency. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Mekdad side-stepped questions on whether lax security by the coalition forces was partly responsible for the bombing that claimed at least 24 lives, including that of the UN's top envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira De Mello.

"We don't need speculation at this moment," Mekdad said. "What is very much needed is to beef up security measures. The responsibility of each party is very clear, and we think every party has to shoulder its responsibility."


He also refused to speculate on the possibility of sending UN troops to Iraq in any capacity, saying that all issues "will be discussed accordingly."


The Security Council was also scheduled to meet later Wednesday with Secretary General Kofi Annan, who cut short a holiday in Finland following the bomb attack.
Bureau Report