Bolstered by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's assurances that there's been "substantial improvement" in security and stability in Iraq, the United Nations is considering boosting its presence in the country.
Iran pledged at UN talks Saturday to help national reconciliation in Iraq but the assurance was immediately brushed aside by the Islamic republic's archrival the United States.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 22 -- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a gathering of 19 foreign ministers and senior diplomats Saturday that peace in Iraq "will not be obtained through military means alone" and that Iraq's neighbors must do more to prevent extremists from crossing into the country.
A high-level meeting on Iraq ended here Saturday with support for a bigger UN role in the war-scarred country but acknowledgment that this would require greater improvement in the security situation.
A high-level meeting on Iraq ended here Saturday with support for a bigger UN role in the war-ravaged country but also acknowledgment that this will require a greater security improvement.
Iraq urged regional and world powers on Saturday to back an expanded U.N. role in Iraq but U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said there was more to be done on security before he could increase U.N. staff.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged Middle Eastern countries to help Iraq?s government achieve national reconciliation.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met ministers from world powers and neighboring countries on Saturday after telling the U.N. Secretary General he could guarantee security for a broader U.N. role in Iraq.
US military contractor Blackwater USA rejected Saturday allegations that it had been shipping unlicensed automatic weapons and military equipment to Iraq.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani demanded the immediate release on Saturday of an Iranian detained by the US military, after Iran's ambassador said the arrest called into question Iraq's sovereignty.