The UN Security Council said on Monday that the United Nations would like to provide assistance to the constitutional process in Iraq.

In a statement, Council President Wang Guangya of China said council members support UN Special Representative Ashraf Qazi's plans to expand the UN presence in Erbil and Basra of Iraq and, if requested, provide assistance to the constitutional process.

The council welcomes recent political developments in Iraq, including the convening of the Transitional National Assembly, the selection of the three-person Presidency Council and the nomination of a prime minister candidate, Wand said.

"The members of the Security Council look forward to the early completion of the formation of the Iraqi Transitional Government with the nomination and confirmation of government minister," he said, adding that "these steps are critical to Iraq's political process."

Qazi briefed the council Monday on the Secretary General Kofi Annan's most recent quarterly report on Iraq, saying that nearly all Iraqis want the United Nations to play a larger role as the country moves forward in its political transition to writing a new constitution and holding fresh elections.
 
Wang noted that the council looks forward to continued progress in Iraq's political transition, consistent with UN Security Resolution 1546.

The council will continue its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for human rights, he stressed.

The members of the council urges the Transitional National Assembly to proceed without delay on the constitutional process, Wand said, emphasizing the need for this process be as inclusive, participatory and transparent as possible.

The council encourages the Transitional National Assembly to reach out broadly to "all segments of Iraqi society, with a view of promoting genuine political dialogue and national reconciliation and ensuring that all Iraqis have a voice in the drafting of the constitution," he added.

Wang said the council welcomes the international community's support to Iraq and underline the importance of such kind of assistance in support of Iraq's political transition, national reconciliation, economic reconstruction, and stability.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2005)