Iraqi foreign minister heading today to the U.N.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf is heading today to the United Nations to hold talks with officials in the organization.

An Iraqi official told ArabicNews.com today that al-Sahaf will discuss with those officials the inspections, the continued sanctions on Iraq and the second phase of the oil-for-food agreement signed between Iraq and the United Nations.

The source added that al-Sahaf will present information aimed at closing the issue of weapons of mass destruction and discuss reducing United Nations forces in the Gulf area.

Al-Sahaf said that the Western forces in the Gulf undermine the security of the region.

He also emphasized the role of the Security Council and called for not leaving matters only in the hands of the U.S. to manipulate Iraq. He added that the crisis is now between Iraq and the U.S..