US plead for $35bn to jump-start Iraq renewal

UNITED STATES and Iraqi officials pleaded for billions of pounds to rebuild Iraq at a donors’ conference yesterday, admitting that they may not get what they need.

Despite the unanimous approval last week of a new United Nations resolution setting out Iraq’s future course, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan acknowledged that lingering divisions over Washington’s still-prominent role in running the country might deter some donors.

However, he insisted such concerns should be set aside. “The long-term challenge of reconstruction has to be faced by all of us,” he said in opening remarks to delegates from 77 countries.