More than 240 women from at least 50 countries accused UN secretary-general Kofi Annan yesterday of paying lip service to gender equality but failing to take action to promote women and their rights.

Five years after a landmark UN resolution committed governments to protect women from the abuses of war, the Security Council has condemned the continuing sexual exploitation and violence against women.

In a devastating assessment of the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq, investigators today strongly criticised Secretary General Kofi Annan, his deputy and the Security Council for allowing Saddam Hussein to gain €8.1bn as a result of the giant humanitarian operation.

A lack of security and the absence of a functioning government are hampering efforts to rebuild Iraq, the UN warned, as it appealed for an additional $259m (€360m) to meet humanitarian needs through the end of 2003.