U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan promised U.S. and Iraqi leaders Monday he would weigh their request to dispatch a U.N. team to study if Iraq could have quick, direct elections for a new legislature.
A decision by U.N. experts would help resolve a growing dispute between the United States and a top Shiite cleric over the best way to transfer power before a June 30 deadline.
According to The AP, Annan gave indications he was leaning toward approval but noted that security of U.N. staff must be provided. Members of the U.N. Security Council also backed the idea.
"If we get it wrong at this stage, it'll be even more difficult and we may not even get to the next stage," he said. "So I think it is extremely important that we do whatever we can to assist."
Annan said he recognized the election issue was urgent and that he hoped for a speedy decision. Experts were expected to start technical talks later Monday. (Albawaba.com)
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