UNITED NATIONS, June 8: The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Tuesday for a US-British resolution that formally ends the occupation of Iraq on June 30 and authorizes a US-led force to keep the peace.

"It means full sovereignty for Iraq. It means a new age in hopefully very pleasant Iraqi history," said Iraq's new interim president, Ghazi al Yawar, who is visiting Washington.

The vote by the 15-nation council endorsed a "sovereign" interim Iraqi government and said the country's new leaders had the right to order the international troops to leave at any time. The resolution makes clear the mandate of the multinational force commanded by the Americans would expire, in any case, by the end of Jan 2006.

As part of the text, the United States pledged "partnership" and coordination with Iraq's leaders on military campaigns but stopped short of giving Baghdad a veto over major offensives as France, Germany, Algeria and other council members had wanted.-Reuters

Masood Haider adds: The resolution stipulates the transfer of full sovereignty to the new interim Iraqi government and wants the new leaders to work in partnership with the US-led multinational force that is remaining in the country to help ensure security.

A last-minute addition to the resolution late on Monday by the United States and Britain, summarizing Iraq's "security partnership" with the US-led coalition forces, asked for by France and other members, was the key compromise that paved the way for the vote.

Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram, asked whether Pakistan would contribute troops to a UN protection force in Iraq, said "only if the new Iraqi government publicly asked us for the troops."

In an open meeting before the closed afternoon session, Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations special envoy to Iraq, reported on his just completed effort to help appoint the members of the new caretaker government. He said its first mission would be to gain the support of people who have opposed the American occupation.

"It will need to reach out to those who have been vocal critics of this past year's process and engage them in dialogue," Mr Brahimi said. "It will need to resist the temptation to characterize all who have opposed the occupation as terrorists and bitter-enders."

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has scheduled a meeting of the Group of Friends of Iraq, comprising 47 nations and the European Commission before the Council votes on the resolution.

The UN chief has set up the forum to exchange views and share advice with key interested parties - including Iraq's neighbours - and he was expected to press for support for the new interim government.