Draft Resolution Seeks Expanded UN Mandate In Iraq

Ban Ki-moon has said insecurity in Iraq might prohibit an expanded UN role (epa) August 2, 2007 -- The United States and Britain have circulated a new draft resolution to UN Security Council members that calls for the UN to expand its activities in Iraq to help promote political reconciliation.

The mandate of the small current UN mission to Iraq expires on August 10.

The draft resolution would extend the mission's mandate for a year, and authorizes the UN to facilitate "regional dialogue, including on issues of border security, energy, and refugees."

The UN cut back its presence in Iraq after a truck bomb destroyed the UN headquarters in Baghdad in August, 2003, killing more than 20 people.

In June, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he would consider an expanded UN role in Iraq, but cited insecurity there as an obstacle.

(AP, BBC, Reuters)