Cairo, 17 July 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov today called for new UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq to stabilize the country, as the U.S.-led coalition has admitted it is facing guerilla resistance. Speaking in Cairo after talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Ivanov said a new UN Security Council resolution is necessary to allow "a large number" of countries to contribute forces.
"We believe it is necessary to speed up the process of handing over power to legitimate representatives of the Iraqi people, and for that purpose it is necessary to increase the role of the United Nations in the Iraqi settlement process," Ivanov said. He said new UN guidance would also be needed for a lasting political settlement.
"We believe it is necessary to speed up the process of handing over power to legitimate representatives of the Iraqi people, and for that purpose it is necessary to increase the role of the United Nations in the Iraqi settlement process," Ivanov said. He said new UN guidance would also be needed for a lasting political settlement.