BAGHDAD, May 31 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari said Tuesday his government would ask the U.N. Security Council to extend the mission of multinational forces in Iraq.
Jaafari told Parliament that Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zibari had traveled to New York to inform the Security Council officially of Iraq's request for an extension of the mandate of the multinational forces, which expires on June 22.
He said the foreign forces would be needed until Iraq completes the reconstruction of its security agencies and armed forces.
Jaafari stressed that the primary objectives of his government are to restore security, build the Iraqi security forces, draft a new constitution for Iraq and hold general elections.
He also expressed his wish to visit Syria to discuss all pending issues between the two neighboring countries, but mentioned no date for the visit.
"Once the conditions for making the visit have been prepared I will not hesitate to travel to Syria," he said.
The Iraqi government accuses Syria of allowing fighters to cross into Iraq to join the insurgency against U.S.-led forces and Iraqi troops.
