PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON HANDOVER OF SOVEREIGNTY TO IRAQ

PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

ON HANDOVER OF SOVEREIGNTY TO IRAQ

Following is the press statement on Iraqi sovereignty delivered today by Security Council President Lauro L. Baja (Philippines):

The members of the Security Council welcome the handover of full responsibility and authority for governing Iraq to the fully sovereign and independent Interim Government of Iraq, thus ending the occupation of the country.  The members of the Council reaffirm the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

The members of the Security Council reiterate fully resolution 1546 (2004), including the proposed timetable for the political transition, the possibility of an international meeting, and the leading role of the United Nations to assist the Interim Government of Iraq in implementing the political process leading, inter alia, to elections no later than 31 January 2005.  The members of the Council call on all Iraqis to implement these arrangements peaceably and in full.

The members of the Security Council reiterate their call to all States and relevant international and regional organizations to support the Interim Government of Iraq in the implementation of this process, and in its efforts to bring economic reconstruction, peace, unity and stability to Iraq.

The members of the Council condemn, in the strongest terms, the continued violence in Iraq, which should not be allowed to disrupt Iraq’s political and economic transition.

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