US wants UN to lift sanctions on Iraq

AFTER suspending its own embargoes against Iraq, the US hopes to introduce a Security Council resolution by today that would lift decade-old UN sanctions and allow Iraq oil exports to resume.

The resolution would phase out the UN oil-for-food humanitarian programme over several months but honour some of the existing $13bn in outstanding contracts for food, medicine and other civilian goods ordered by the ousted government of Saddam Hussein, diplomats said.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the draft was expected to be given to all 15 council members this week and would include a vital role for the UN in a post-war Iraq.