UNITED NATIONS, Nov 22: Russia, Germany and France on Friday called for a primary role for the United Nations in the Iraqi self-rule process and asked the United States and Britain (Coalition Provisional Authority) to organize a conference for Iraqi leaders and key countries in the region.

At a Security Council meeting, in which envoys from the US and Britain briefed the 15-member council on the progress in Iraq since the war, Russia’s ambassador Sergey Lavrov said: “We’re disappointed there is no mention of the United Nations. We think that is wrong.”

He said Moscow supported the idea of holding of an international conference under the aegis of the United Nations to include all interested parties, including Iraqi neighbours.

“Given the worsening security situation,” he said “such a conference could be held outside of Iraq. There is a need to involve, in a genuine way, as many local actors as possible, and the United Nations, in the political process.”

He also wondered why the 15-Nov agreement with the Iraqi Governing Council had not been transmitted to the Security Council. Texts of the pact he had seen had no mention of the United Nations, which was troubling. In addition, some timelines included in the text seemed to be unrealistic.

“It would be better for election dates to be decided on by the transitional government and the transitional assembly. It also seems that some political forces would be left out of certain processes. Wording about the status of the authority, after various stages of the transition, is also confusing,” he added.

Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere of France noted that despite some progress in Iraq, “attacks continued unabated, wantonly targeting international humanitarian personnel, coalition personnel and Iraqis. Maintaining a state of occupation fed the Iraqi’s resentment and frustration, which was exploited by extremists.

“That was why he had been advocating rapid restoration of Iraq sovereignty and an end to occupation.”

Jean-Marc de la Sabliere said that such a conference did not have to duplicate the one organized for Afghanistan in December 2001 in Bonn, Germany.

The French ambassador said it needed a forum that “would be inclusive” and be run by the United Nations.

“It is a matter of urgency to rebuild a consensus in Iraq, at the regional level, and within the international community,” said the French envoy.

Us ambassador John Negroponte and British envoy Jones Parry said that only Iraqi leaders could consider the idea of a broader conference.

“It is for the Iraqis to look at options and then identify the best means. We cannot be prescriptive,” Jones Parry told reporters.

German ambassador Gunter Pleuger said: “It is imperative to create an international order based on inclusiveness, with the United Nations as its centre. That is the way to stabilize Iraq and create a better global future.”

“We have to broaden the political process to include all political and societal forces that reject violence and terrorism,” he said, adding that the Bonn conference had worked so why not try it again.

In response, Mr Negroponte said the dates the coalition had given were maximum deadlines and events could take place sooner.

He said the coalition would “dissolve” in June 2004, while Jones Parry said Britain would limit its operations to “the embassy or a bilateral assistance office”.