UN vows to increase role in Iraq

United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon voiced concerns about security in Iraq even as he announced plans to open a regional support office in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

"Security is still a problem," Ban said, as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki sat beside him in a joint news conference at the UN in New York.

The two were speaking after a meeting with top diplomats representing many of Iraq's neighbours, the United States, donor nations and other groups.

Ban emphasised his hope that "more would be done" on the security front and said the UN would build its presence on the ground as the situation improved.

The UN has maintained a reduced presence in Iraq since after an August 19, 2003 bombing at its Baghdad headquarters killed 22 people. But Ban emphasised that that there was clear agreement in the meeting that the international community cannot turn away from Iraq.

"Its stability is our common concern," he said.

Ban's comments about security, coming in the same breath as talk of expanding the UN's presence with a regional office, reflect the challenges confronting Maliki's government.