Annan calls for end to isolation of Iraq

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council on Wednesday to end the isolation of Iraq, in effect calling for the sanctions imposed on it almost 13 years ago to be lifted.

Council members are sharply divided on the lifting of sanctions in the wake of the US-led invasion of Iraq, but Mr Annan said they must “set aside past divisions and ask yourselves what will help the Iraqi people most”.

He was speaking in a public session held to wrap up the council’s work for the month. Mexico handed over the council presidency to Pakistan at midnight on Wednesday. Mr Annan said he hoped the council would agree “on the need to put an end to Iraq’s isolation and help the people of Iraq, as quickly as possible, to establish the conditions of normal life”. —AFP

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