UN 'vital in rebuilding Iraq' say Bush and Blair

The US President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair stressed today that the United Nations will have a "vital role" in the reconstruction of a post–conflict Iraq.

In a joint statement issued after their talks at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast, the leaders of the main partners in the coalition made clear that they wanted the UN to play a prominent role in the effort to win the peace in Iraq.

Their statement said: "As the coalition proceeds with the reconstruction of Iraq, it will work with its allies, bilateral donors, and with the United Nations and other international institutions.

"The United Nations has a vital role to play in the reconstruction of Iraq.

"We welcome the effort of UN agencies and non–governmental organisations in providing immediate assistance to the people of Iraq. As we stated in the Azores, we plan to seek the adoption of new United Nations security council resolution that would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief and endorse an appropriate post–conflict administration for Iraq.

"We welcome the appointment by the United Nations Secretary General of a special advisor for Iraq to work with the people of Iraq and coalition representatives."

* The French President Jacques Chirac will travel to St Petersburg later this week - at the same time as the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder - and will meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said today. The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is also scheduled to visit.