In remarks to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York following the Council’s adoption of Resolution 1546, the Secretary-General said it was important that the new Interim Government of Iraq had participated in the consultations before the vote.

“I very much welcome this. I think it is a good resolution in itself,” he said, explaining it will help Iraqis to “take charge of their own political destiny, in peace and freedom, under a sovereign government of their choosing.”

The resolution calls for Iraq to “reassert its full sovereignty” following the end of the occupation by 30 June and the dissolution of the United States-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) at the same time.

The text also recommends the UN play a “leading role” in: helping Iraq organize a conference in July to select a Consultative Council; advising on the process of holding elections, scheduled for January; and promoting national dialogue on the drafting of a new constitution.

Mr. Annan said the UN is having talks with several countries that are likely to contribute troops or resources to the multinational forces in Iraq to determine what kind of security UN staff will require when they return to Iraq. The resolution notes the intention of creating a separate force under the command of the multinational force dedicated to providing security for the UN presence in Iraq.

Stressing he wanted an environment that gives UN staff “reasonable mobility and flexibility” to do their work, he said the protection forces would be under one command.

“We are not asking for 100 per cent security or guarantee. We operate in the real world and we know there are risks, but there are certain limits that we have to impose on ourselves,” he said.

The Secretary-General said he hopes to soon name his Special Representative who, together with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), will have the job of spearheading the UN’s future role in the country.

He said that the staging of any international conference on Iraq’s future political and economic reconstruction depended on the approval of the new interim government.

Mr. Annan also thanked his Special Adviser Lakhdar Brahimi, the head of the UN electoral team in Iraq, Carina Perelli, and their teams for their “courage and perseverance” in helping to guide Iraq to its current situation.

Video of Annan remarks