United Nations, July 17: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said that the responsibility for stabilising the situation in Iraq rested with all countries. "All of us should accept the responsibility to stabilise Iraq. It is in the interest not only of Iraq," but of the entire region, Annan yesterday said after closed-door consultations at the Security Council. Annan indicated that he had discussed the issue of internationalising the us-led force currently in Iraq with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and members of the US Congress on Monday. He said the issue was not included in a report that UN envoy to Iraq Sergio Vieira De Mello was to present to the council.


"All council members have to be consulted," said the Secretary General.


Several countries, including India, Germany and France, indicated they would not be sending troops to Iraq without a specific mandate from the United Nations.


"We feel for any country that has the political desire or the political will to contribute forces for stabilisation in Iraq there is ample scope within the existing framework of resolution 1483."
The resolution defining the role of the United Nations in post-war Iraq was adopted in May.


Bureau Report