UN backs Iraq resolution
France, Germany and Russia – the UN nations most opposed to the conflict in Iraq – have lent their support to a US resolution on post-war administration in the Middle Eastern state.
The resolution, backed by Spain, Britain and America, gives the US-led coalition control of Iraq until an internationally recognised government is in place.
And it will lift the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War.
With the support of the coalition’s harshest critics, the draft resolution was passed by the United Nations Security Council this afternoon by 14 votes to 0. Iraq’s neighbour Syria did not attend.
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin had earlier announced that Germany, France and Russia wanted to see the proposals go further, but would still back them.
UK foreign minister Jack Straw welcomed the decision, saying that the resolution ‘provides a very good base for reconstruction, humanitarian relief and the building of good governance in Iraq.’
The coalition nations are likely to still face opposition from the UN over the role the organisation will play in the future administration of Iraq and calls for the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq. The new resolution includes provision for a UN envoy to take a small political role in the reconstruction of Iraq.
The UN weapons inspection team, led by Dr Hans Blix, left Iraq shortly before the US-led invasion started.
United Nations members have been calling for the return of inspectors since the conflict ended, particularly as the British and American troops have failed so far to find any evidence of Saddam’s alleged weapouns of mass destruction. The new resolution hints at the possible return of inspectors to Iraq.
Announcing the decision to back the resolution Mr de Villepin said that the coalition countries had ‘listened to their partners’ and that the new draft resolution was ‘the result of a compromise’.
In total 90 changes were made to the resolution to produce an agreeable compromise.
