The UN Security Council on Friday expressed its commitment to the new Iraqi government and improved relationships with bordering Kuwait, U.S. Ambassador Rosemary A. DiCarlo, whose country holds the Council's rotating presidency this month, told reporters.

The Security Council "welcomed the continued cooperation by the governments of Iraq and Kuwait and their high-level commitments to fully implement all Iraqi allegations to Kuwait under the relevant resolutions," DiCarlo said.

But these commitments need to be fulfilled, DiCarlo noted.

The 15-nation Security Council also welcomed the commitment by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to establish an interministerial committee to lead and coordinate efforts with regard to the Kuwaiti national archives and other properties, DiCarlo said.

"This committee should be established without delay and in cooperation with both parties," she said.

On Wednesday, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution lifting Saddam-era sanctions against Iraq -- penalties that had been imposed in 1991 following former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait that resulted in the first Gulf War.

Iraq continues to face outstanding issues from its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, relating to borders, missing persons and Kuwaiti government archives.