Russia will not permit Iraqi oil-for-food program extension without improvement

Russia's permanent representative at the United Natons, Sergy Lavrov, has asserted that his country will not permit the extension of the oil-for-food program in Iraq without making changes to it that guarantee improvement in the humanitarian conditions of the Iraqis who are suffering under UN sanctions.

In a press conference he held at the UN Lavrov added that US opposition is the reason behind not discussing means of improving the oil-for-food program.

The oil-for-food program, which was approved by the UN three years ago, permits Iraq to export oil at a value of US $5.2 billion every six months to buy foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian needs.

Russia is trying to double the sums allotted for buying spare parts for the oil sector to reach US $600 million and to making approvals of the import procedures of foodstuffs go automatically.

On Monday the UN Security Council's five permanent members continued discussions on this issue. No agreement was reached to this end.