WASHINGTON-NEW YORK, Nov 19: The United States is working on another UN resolution seeking a political role for the world body in Iraq in the transfer of power by June 2004, UN and US officials said on Wednesday.

“We want international acceptance for a new Iraqi government and a UN blessing for its legitimacy,” a senior US official told reporters in Washington. “We could go into Iraq without the United Nations, but it will be much harder to get out without a UN approval,” the official said.

With American and coalition casualties mounting, and the 2004 US elections on the horizon the Bush administration wants to disengage itself from the day to day running of Iraq and the rebuilding process.

One motive for another resolution, despite all the negotiations it entails, is to make sure the United Nations returns its staff to Iraq, the diplomats said. Since the attack on the UN compound in August, Secretary General Kofi Annan has withdrawn most of the UN staff from Baghdad and he wants security assurances before sending his staff back.

Responding to the US pressure, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he would soon name a special representative to replace Sergio Vieira de Mello, killed when the UN headquarters in Baghdad was bombed on Aug 19.

However, Mr Annan was careful not to predict a date for the return of UN political staff, saying they might operate across borders or outside of Iraq.

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Colin Powell also indicated that the United States may seek a new UN resolution on Iraq and that Washington was discussing plans for re-sending a UN representative to Iraq as soon as possible.

Later, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters that he had discussed the issue with Mr. Powell who has indicated that the United States wanted the UN to play a political role in Iraq.

The Iraqi Governing Council, he said, also wanted the United Nations to play this role. Mr. Powell also referred to this role for the UN when he told reporters in Washington that Washington wants the UN to play a role, and it is a part of our plan in moving forward.