Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General following the Secretary-General's meeting with Security Council members on Iraq

The Secretary-General today met with the members of the Security Council to inform them that he had formalized the role of Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed by appointing him as his Special Adviser. As he has done over the past two months, Mr. Ahmed will continue to consider possible United Nations' roles in post-war Iraq and their legal, political, operational and resource implications.

The Secretary-General and the members of the Council agreed that any role beyond the coordination of humanitarian activities in Iraq, and other activities mandated by existing resolutions, would first require a new mandate from the Security Council.

The members of the Security Council welcomed Mr. Ahmed's appointment and expressed satisfaction at the start of a dialogue with the Secretary-General on a subject which would acquire added urgency in the weeks to come.