UNITED NATIONS, April 14: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday ruled out sending a large UN team to Iraq "for the foreseeable future" because of the recent upsurge in attacks and kidnappings.

Talking to reporters, Mr Annan said despite having its movements restricted as a result of the deteriorating security environment in Iraq, the United Nations mission, led by Lakhdar Brahimi, continued to consult a cross-section of Iraqi society.

Mr Annan said the deteriorating situation and violence in Iraq had made the work of the UN team on the ground difficult. "For the foreseeable future, insecurity is going to be a major constraint for us and so I cannot say right now that I'm going to be sending in a large UN team," he said.

"Obviously, we are monitoring the situation very closely and we are doing the best we can and I will have a better sense when Mr Brahimi is back and we reassess the situation." said the secretary general. The UN chief added that governments were also aware that "it is in our collective interest to do everything we can to bring the violence down in Iraq".

He expressed the hope that things could calm down before the transfer of power planned for 30 June. Asked if the deadline was still credible, Mr Annan said it would be difficult for it to be changed. "It has been embraced by the Iraqis themselves, who are eager to see the end of occupation as soon as possible."