United Nations top official for Iraq Sergio de Mello on Tuesday called on the international community to extend recognition to the Iraqi Governing Council to facilitate the process of restoring Iraqi sovereignty.

"For it (the Governing Body) to succeed, the Governing Council will need the full support of the international community and the faith of the Iraqi people," de Mello said while briefing the UN Security Council on the situation in post-war Iraq.

The UN special representative said he believed the Governing Council "has initially been endowed with credible executive authority and that it is broadly representative of the various constituencies existing in Iraq."

The formation of Iraq's Governing Council on July 13 was a "significant step" toward the goal of restoration of Iraqis' self rule, de Mello noted, adding that its establishment was a "welcome" development for the international community and for the United Nations.

Under its agreement with the occupying authority, the Governing Council has significant powers, with particular, though not exclusive, emphasis on foreign affairs, finance, security and the constitutional process, he continued.

"The Governing Council will soon be appointing Iraqi Interim Ministers and -- importantly -- designating Iraqi representation in international fora," he said.

"With the formation of the body, we now enter a new stage that succeeds the disorienting power vacuum that followed the fall of the previous regime."

Among the audience were UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Security Council members and a three-member delegation from the Iraqi Governing Council.

The delegation was here to convince the Security Council their Governing Council is the legitimate representative of the Iraqis, and to express their views on the future of Iraq.

Former Iraqi Foreign Minister Adnan Pachachi, a longtime exile during the rule of former President Saddam Hussein, was invited to speak on behalf of the team by the Security Council.

But since the Security Council has not yet accorded any official recognition of the Governing Council, the team was allowed to attend the debate under Article 39 of the body's rules of procedures, instead of Article 37 which only applies to a non-council member state.

Earlier, Annan also called for Security Council support for the Governing Council. Analysts here believe it looks inevitable that the Security Council would throw its backing behind the fledgling Iraqi body.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2003)