IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES STRONG SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS OF SPECIAL ADVISER ON IRAQ

Security Council                                           

4953^rd Meeting (Night)                                      

in presidential statement, security council expresses strong support

for efforts of special adviser on iraq

Following the briefing this afternoon by Lakhdar Brahimi, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the situation in Iraq, the Security Council tonight expressed strong support for his efforts and welcomed the provisional ideas he had submitted as a basis for the formation of an interim Iraqi government to which sovereignty would be transferred on 30 June.

In a presidential statement, read by Council President Gunter Pleuger (Germany), the Council called on all Iraqi parties to cooperate fully with the Special Adviser, and also called on Iraq’s neighbours and the international community at large to lend all support possible to those efforts.

The meeting started at 6:15 p.m. and adjourned at 6:16 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2004/11 reads as follows:

“The Security Council welcomes with appreciation the comprehensive briefing provided by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi.

“Recalling its Presidential Statement of 24 March 2004 the Security Council considers the efforts of the Special Adviser and his team, as well as those of the UN electoral assistance team to be of particular importance and urgency.

“The Security Council strongly supports the efforts and dedication of the Special Adviser and welcomes the provisional ideas he has submitted as a basis for the formation of an interim Iraqi government to which sovereignty will be transferred on 30 June 2004.

“The Security Council encourages the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser to continue diligently with the efforts that they are employing, and welcomes the Special Adviser’s intention to return to Iraq shortly, and looks forward to a further briefing upon his return.

“The Security Council calls on all Iraqi parties to cooperate fully with the Special Adviser, and also calls on Iraq’s neighbours and the international community at large to lend all support possible to these efforts.”

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