UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan wants to expand the organization's role in Iraq beyond Baghdad to include a presence in northern and southern cities.
"The secretary-general intends to proceed with further expansion of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq presence in Iraq in implementation of the mandate given to him by the Security Council," spokesman Fred Eckhard Wednesday told reporters.
Eckhard said a security planning mission had been dispatched and a Fiji-provided dedicated, "close-protection, force" for U.N. operations consisting of about 150 troops, separate from the U.S.-led multinational force, was to be deployed.
The current security ceiling of 59 U.N. staffers was expected to be lifted soon to accommodate the Fijians.
The announcement comes on the eve of Annan's scheduled visit Thursday to Washington, which has been seeking an increased U.N. presence in Iraq.
