UNITED NATIONS, June 9: Pakistan said on Tuesday that "the support of Iraq's immediate neighbours, as well as in the Arab and Islamic countries, for security and stability in Iraq will be an important component in realizing the political , security and economic goals set out in resolution 1546" adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council.

"We view this resolution as the most significant step since the first Gulf war towards the full normalization of the situation in Iraq" Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram said in an explanation of vote.

"It endorses the presence of the Multinational Force (MNF), at this time, as a means to restoring peace and security in Iraq. It indicates a timetable to establish an elected government in Iraq and a programme to end the mandate of the MNF," he said.

Observing that "the security environment in Iraq remains volatile and unstable," Mr Akram said: "We must trust and hope that following the transfer of sovereignty the Security environment will improve significantly."

"Peace and stability in Iraq will no doubt reinforce stability in the region. Its continued instability, on the other hand, is likely to have an adverse impact on the security environment of the region and beyond," he cautioned.

"Pakistan hopes that the adoption of this resolution will; enable the Iraqi people to fully regain their sovereignty and full control over their own destiny; promote security and stability in Iraq and preserve its unity and territorial integrity; and promote the reconstruction of its shattered country and revive its potential for economic growth and prosperity," Mr Akram said.

Saying that the Security Council resolution underwent substantial transformation before becoming acceptable to all the members of the Security Council including Pakistan, Mr Akram noted that most of the suggestions for changes in the resolution proposed by Pakistan were accommodated in the draft by the sponsors.

These include:

-Transfer of full authority and sovereignty to Iraq and full control by the Iraqi people over their natural resources.

-An affirmation of the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq;

-Respect for the primacy of the wishes and desires of the Iraqi people and their government in their political and security affairs;

--Iraqi control over its own security forces which will, progressively assume full responsibility for Iraq's security;

-The presence of the MNF at the request of the Iraqi government and creation of a coordination mechanism between the Iraqi Government and the MNF on security policy and operations;

-Adherence by all concerned to the principles of international humanitarian law; and respect for Iraq's cultural, archeological and religious heritage, which are among the most sacred in the Islamic world.

Mr Akram noted that "as indicated by Mr. Brahimi, the problem of insecurity cannot be solved through military means alone," adding "political solutions and accommodations are required to achieve security and stability in Iraq."