CRAWFORD, April 19: The United States plans to ask the United Nations to lift sanctions against Iraq in phases, gradually turning over parts of the economy to a new Iraqi authority, The New York Times said on Saturday.

Citing Bush administration officials, the Times said a step-by-step approach was the latest US tactic to counter assertions by France, Russia and other Security Council members that they would oppose lifting sanctions without a broader role for the United Nations than envisaged by Washington.

The officials said the United Nations would retain control over sales of Iraqi oil until Iraqis had taken control over other sectors of the economy.

“We are now thinking in terms of several (new UN) resolutions and letting Iraqis build their economy in phases before they get full control of the oil,” on official told the newspaper.

Administration officials said on Saturday that discussions about the sanctions were in an early phase and no final decisions had been made.

“As the president said with the demise of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the sanctions on Iraq are no longer necessary and should be lifted. We’ll work to achieve that goal and it will be a matter of discussion with our friends and allies. No decisions have been made at this point,” said White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan.

She also gave no signal of an early return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq — which has been another aim of Russia and several other members.—Reuters