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French President Jacques Chirac said on Thursday it is up to the United Nations to decide when and how to lift trade sanctions against Iraq.
"Lifting sanctions is a goal we have supported for a long time," Chirac told reporters at an informal European Union (EU) summit in Athens.
"Now it is up to the United Nations to define the modalities of the lifting of sanctions."
France has long maintained that only the United Nations had the legitimacy to declare war on Iraq or ultimately decide its future.
The European Union (EU) said at the summit on Thursday the United Nations must play "a central role" in rebuilding Iraq but also stressed that the US-led forces in the country had a responsibility to restore stability.
In a carefully worded statement worked out to avoid refueling bitter divisions over Iraq among the 15 EU member states, the bloc also reaffirmed its willingness to help in reconstruction of the country.
"The UN must play a central role, including in the process leading towards self-government for the Iraqi people, utilizing its unique capacity and experience in post-conflict nation building," said the statement.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)
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