UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Tuesday asked the Security Council for clear guidance on what role the organization should assume on its return to Iraq.
International staff members were evacuated after the Aug. 19 bombing of U.N. headquarters in Baghdad that killed 22 people including Annan's Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Annan said the capture Saturday of deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein provides "an opportunity for a new beginning in the vital task of helping Iraqis take control of their destiny" by creating a secure and stable country.
Annan said it was urgent sovereignty be returned to the Iraqis through a provisional government.
Foreign Minister Hushyar Zibari of the Iraqi transitional Governing Council told the Security Council his panel expects Iraq to assume full sovereignty through a transitional administration by May 31, 2004.
Zibari, welcoming Saturday's capture, said, "Now Saddam has finally gone, along with the fear, the genocide and the terror that he inflicted."
He called on Security Council members to bury their differences over Iraq, adding, "Settling scores with the United States should not be at the cost of helping to bring stability to the Iraqi people."
