UN to hold special session on Iraq
The UN Security Council has been called into a special session to discuss events in Iraq and revise a proposed resolution.
It is expected that the US and the UK, sponsors of the latest Iraq draft resolution, will submit amendments to satisfy concerns of other Security Council members on Sunday.
US diplomats are hoping for a breakthrough after interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi sent a letter to the UN regarding how US occupation operations can be reviewed by a future Iraqi government.
While Iraqi officials have already stated that they would prefer a say in any large campaign by the US-led occupation forces, US Secretary of State Colin Powell clearly stated that Iraq would not be given veto power.
Al-Akhdar al-Ibrahimi
UN diplomats have said they are particularly interested in hearing a report from UN envoy to Iraq, al-Akhdar al-Ibrahimi, who helped form the interim government that is expected to remain in power until elections are held in January 2005.
But Security Council permanent member Russia has voiced concerns that any passed UN resolution could be seen as merely cosmetic change to an endorsement of US-led occupation of Iraq.
A Sunday vote is unlikely as no voting has been scheduled until after Monday.
US and UK officials are hoping to get the resolution passed by week’s end.