Annan wants UN mission in Iraq extended 1 yr

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 3: The UN mission in Iraq has been growing and expanding its reach beyond Baghdad despite security concerns, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today, recommending its mandate be renewed another year.

The mandate is due to expire August. 11 unless the Security Council renews it before then.

The United Nations has been helping Iraq draft a constitution, set up an elected government and provide social services and humanitarian assistance. It has also been working to help rebuild the country, reform its legal and judicial systems, promote human rights and organize a census.

Despite some progress, however, the country ''continues to face formidable political, security and economic challenges'' and still needs international assistance, Annan said in his latest progress report to the 15-nation council.

Mission growth has been kept down by security concerns, but UN international staff are now active in satellite offices in Basra in the south and Erbil in the north as well as in Baghdad, Annan said While backing a 12-month extension of the mission's mandate, he said the government of Iraq could request a review of the operation before then if it chose to.

REUTERS