March 25, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 21, 1424

GENEVA, March 24: Nine countries in the UN Human Rights Commission have asked the world’s top human rights forum to hold a special session on the war in Iraq, the chairwoman of the Commission, Najat Al Hajjaji, announced on Monday.

The countries were Algeria, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, Malaysia, Russia, Sudan, Syria and Zimbabwe, a UN spokesman added.

“I would like to inform you that I have received a request signed by nine member states asking for a special meeting to deal with the effects of the war on the Iraqi people and their humanitarian situation, and to reaffirm the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention,” Al Hajjaji said.

The Fourth Geneva Convention deals with the protection of civilians in wartime.

Al Hajjaji said she would consult fellow members of the commission’s organising bureau on how to follow up on the request. The bureau can set the agenda for a session.

Diplomats said any vote on the motion would need a simple majority of the 53 member states to be passed, opening the way for a special debate on the situation in Iraq. —AFP