2 June 2004 -- The United States and Britain have submitted a revised resolution on Iraq to the United Nations Security Council that would give the interim government control over the Iraqi Army and police.
Critics -- namely France, Russia, and Germany -- had said a previous U.S.-British resolution did not give the Iraqis enough power over their own national affairs.
The resolution, which was submitted on 1 June, also offers a rough timetable for the withdrawal of coalition troops, stating that the troops' mandate "shall expire upon the completion of the political process." According to the resolution, this will occur once a constitutionally elected government takes office, which is expected by December 2005, or early in 2006.
Discussion of the Security Council resolution came after a 26-member interim Iraqi government was announced in Baghdad. The man picked as interim Iraqi President -- Sheikh Ghazi Ajil al-Yawir -- said the government will work to create a democratic state.
"It is a pluralistic, federal and democratic Iraq that we work for, where everyone can enjoy the institutions and the freedoms given by a united state," al-Yawir said.
The Iraqi Governing Council dissolved itself immediately so that the new interim government can start work even before it takes power from the U.S.-led coalition at the end of the month.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the naming of Iraq's interim government was "quite a step forward," but added that "lots of hard work" lays ahead.
The Arab League and U.S. President George W. Bush were among others welcoming the news.
(AP/Reuters)
The resolution, which was submitted on 1 June, also offers a rough timetable for the withdrawal of coalition troops, stating that the troops' mandate "shall expire upon the completion of the political process." According to the resolution, this will occur once a constitutionally elected government takes office, which is expected by December 2005, or early in 2006.
Discussion of the Security Council resolution came after a 26-member interim Iraqi government was announced in Baghdad. The man picked as interim Iraqi President -- Sheikh Ghazi Ajil al-Yawir -- said the government will work to create a democratic state.
"It is a pluralistic, federal and democratic Iraq that we work for, where everyone can enjoy the institutions and the freedoms given by a united state," al-Yawir said.
The Iraqi Governing Council dissolved itself immediately so that the new interim government can start work even before it takes power from the U.S.-led coalition at the end of the month.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the naming of Iraq's interim government was "quite a step forward," but added that "lots of hard work" lays ahead.
The Arab League and U.S. President George W. Bush were among others welcoming the news.
(AP/Reuters)