UNITED NATIONS, July 23: President Pervez Musharraf has proposed that the United Nations should create a multinational 'Islamic Protection Force' for safeguarding its mission in Iraq which is scheduled to go to Baghdad by mid-August, it is learnt.

Informed sources told Dawn that the president had made the suggestion in a conversation with Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday, reiterating that Pakistan could only send its troops under the umbrella of such a force.

Mr Annan has since talked to Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and Arab League chief Amr Musa to work towards forming such a force which is essential before the UN mission goes to Baghdad to begin its work.

The sources said that discussions to create the proposed force were already continuing between the UN and several Muslim nations. However, no country has pledged troops for the protection force yet.

The UN secretary-general told a press conference that his envoy Ashraf Jehangir Qazi would travel to Iraq 'as soon as practicable' after arrangements had been made to protect him and his small staff.

He also said that "a dedicated force protecting the UN staff and its facilities" would be needed. Mr Qazi said that security of the UN staff "is not only the first consideration - it is the first priority, the second priority and the third priority". Mr Qazi replaces Sergio Vieira de Mello, who was among 22 people killed in last August's bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.