UN pressed to take lead in Iraq
Iraq and leading Arab nations are to press the United Nations to play a clearer and more central post-war role in the impoverished country.
Foreign ministers from Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and Egypt attended the Arab League gathering over the weekend.
Ministers said they wanted the UN to supervise democratic elections and any future transfer of power back to Iraqis.
The US says power will be handed to an interim Iraqi government after caucuses decide on the key political structures in July.
Following a two-day meeting in Kuwait, officials also said it was crucial “terrorists and other armed groups” were removed from Iraq.
Iraqi leaders will request Saddam Hussein’s status as a prisoner of war be changed to pave the way for a trial in the country, according to foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari.
“We have agreed with the United States and the coalition forces that whenever we are ready as Iraqis, and especially after we regain power… we will demand changing Saddam’s status as a prisoner of war,” Mr Zebari said.
Separately, Iraqi police say they have captured a former key member of Saddam’s government, number 41 on Washington’s “most wanted” list.
Police arrested Muhammad Zimam Abd al-Razzaq al-Sadun, a senior member of Saddam’s dethroned Baath Party, at the weekend.
Since the end of the Iraq war in March 2003, 44 of 55 Iraqis wanted by the US have been captured or killed.
