UNITED NATIONS, May 26: Iraq on Thursday called on the UN Security Council to renew the mandate for the US-led force, saying it cannot yet defend itself against an armed insurgency. Iraq wants the mandate to continue until the political transition is completed with elections under a new constitution “or until Iraq can provide for its security needs on its own,” Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said in a letter.

“Iraq looks forward to the day when its forces are able to assume full responsibility for maintaining its national security, at which time there will be no need for the engagement of the MNF,” Zebari said. “Until then, we need the continued presence of the MNF in Iraq.” In a surge of violence since a new Iraqi government was announced on April 28, more than 620 people have been killed.

Mr Zebari is expected to attend a council meeting next week to review the mandate of the force, which has about 138,000 US troops and over 22,000 soldiers from 26 other countries.