The United States and Britain presented the UN Security Council a draft resolution that gives Iraq sovereignty on June 30 but leaves key issues about the transfer of power unresolved.
The draft endorses the still-unformed "sovereign interim government" that will take over on that date, which will reflect a formal end to the US-led occupation.
China immediately expressed satisfaction with parts of the draft.
Council diplomats said they were awaiting the return of UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who is in Baghdad trying to form the interim government by the end of May.
US deputy ambassador James Cunningham said the resolution "represents a new beginning for Iraq" and acknowledged that many of the details still had to be worked out.
"We're dealing with some elements that we don't actually have on the table yet," Cunningham said after presenting the draft. "The discussions showed that there's a good convergence of views."
Despite the draft, more than 130,000 occupation troops will remain in the country.
It also gives the US-led force control over security with an initial 12-month mandate that could be reviewed later, and says the force should have the "consent" of the Iraqi government to stay even though it provides no explicit mechanism for that government to ask troops to leave.
"The multinational force shall have authority to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq, including by preventing and deterring terrorism," it says.
The United States and Britain presented the resolution after weeks of informal talks with the other 13 nations on the council.
The draft also calls for the United Nations to play a "leading role" in helping form a government and gives Iraq control over oil revenues, even though an international advisory board would continue its monitoring work.
According to AFP, diplomats noted that the final resolution would have to indicate a clear transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people and the end of the occupation. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
