UN role would give new government legitimacy, says Annan

UNITED NATIONS Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday said a significant UN role in Iraq would bring international legitimacy to any new Iraqi government.

Mr Annan also said he would name Rafeeuddin Ahmed, a Pakistani national and former associate administrator of the UN Development ProgramME, as his special adviser on Iraq. Mr Ahmed has been advising Mr Annan for several months on post-war Iraq.

“I do expect the UN to play an important role, and the UN has had good experience in this area,” Mr Annan said.