Denmark bypasses UN in preparing stabilisation force

DENMARK has been asked by the US to put together a stabilisation force for Iraq and has enlisted the support of at least five European countries so far.

The Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he could not afford to wait for the UN to come to an agreement on the issue and was willing to press ahead with such a force.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he had spoken to Mr Rasmussen twice yesterday but he had not mentioned the matter.