Some major Iraqi players...willing to talk to the United Nations, but not the United States/Britain

U.N. Council OKs bigger political role in Iraq

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Security Council voted on Friday to give the United Nations an expanded political role in Iraq, promoting reconciliation between its rival factions and dialogue with neighbouring countries.

The 15-nation council unanimously approved a U.S.-British resolution boosting the responsibilities of the four-year-old U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, whose existing mandate expired on Friday.

U.S. and British officials have denied that their aim is to offload Iraq's political problems onto the United Nations, then pull their forces out. But they want the U.N. to take a shot at peace, especially in recruiting help from neighbouring nations.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has initiated a compact for Iraq with regional states that sets benchmarks for Baghdad in exchange for debt forgiveness and other aid.

As architect of the resolution, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said the unanimous approval showed "a new page had been turned in regard to the Security Council's role in Iraq," a reference to the council's refusal to approve the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

"This resolution underscores the widespread belief that what happens in Iraq has strategic implications not only for the region, but for the entire world," he said.

Khalilzad said he hoped the world body would convene meetings among political factions "and propose bridging formulas," as well as make sure Baghdad's neighbours "assist the Iraqis in overcoming their difficulties."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKN1021314620070811?pageNumber=2

country into a bomb crater, murdered my friends and family, and let my 5,000 year old historical artifacts be looted while they guarded the ministry for the only asset I had.