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| 02 May 2004 | Sunday | 11 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Pakistan assumes UNSC presidency
UNITED NATIONS, May 1: The worsening crisis in Iraq will dominate the United Nations Security Council agenda in May as Pakistan took over its reins for the month on Saturday. This is the second time Pakistan will head the council during its two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the council
, which ends at the end of this year.
The United States-led coalition is under severe pressure to end its occupation of Iraq. With mounting casualties and no end to the occupation in sight, it is expected that the Bush administration will press the council to form a UN protection force to oversee the handing over of power to the Iraqis.
The force could include soldiers from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and other South Asian nations.
Pakistan has also proposed a special meeting of the council on UN peacekeeping forces, with a view to expanding and strengthening the operations as the need for 'blue helmets' grows worldwide.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri will come here for the event.
The council would assess the financial needs and troop requirements for the expanded peacekeeping operations.
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