New Delhi, May 23: India today welcomed the lifting of 13-year old economic, financial and trade sanctions against Iraq by the UN but was non-committal on offering its troops for 'stabilisation duties' in the war-torn country outside the UN command. "We welcome the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution for several reasons. The long suffering people of Iraq deserve all the help that they can get from the international community," external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters.

Asked about the prospects of India sending its troops to Iraq towards "stability and security" of Iraq which would be under the unified command of the "occupying powers" -- the US and Britain -- he said "we are studying the resolution".

On whether government didn't see a contradiction in the parliament resolution calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq and reported moves now to send its troops there, the spokesman reminded that the latest resolution was "not about the war but post war situation".

"In a way, it (the resolution) conveys acceptance of the present realities of the situation in Iraq and is made up of elements in which the international community would help the people there," he said.

He said it would enable intensification of efforts in this direction. "The adoption of the resolution shows that despite the differences on the issue of war, all the members of the UNSC including the permanent five have come together on the post-war issues," he said.

Bureau Report