UN secretary general on the elections in Iraq

The UN secretary general Elakhder al-Ibraheimi announced that the UN supports the call advocated by the Shiite clergy Ayatullah Ali al-Seistani to make general elections in the country.

Al-Ibraheimi told journalists in conclusion of his meeting with al-Seistani in al-Najaf that the Shiite clergy is correct in his call to make the elections because they are the best means to solve the problem of the Iraqi people. But he gave no date for these elections.

Al-Seistani wants to have elections before handing over the authority to the Iraqis on June 30 while the US plans to make these elections next year.

A high ranking UN administration official said al-Ibraheimi is due to leave Iraq today ( Friday). Other members of the UN team started tours in the Iraqi governorates. The UN secretary general Kofi Annan is expected to take a decision on the elections on February 21.