UN role in Iraq: UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan received his first personal briefing following the Hillsborough meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair from the Taoiseach yesterday evening, writes Sorcha Crowley, in Dublin
A Government source said Mr Ahern told Mr Annan over the phone that he had conveyed the UN Secretary-General's views on post-war Iraq to both Prime Minister Blair and President Bush at Tuesday's meeting at Hillsborough, as Mr Annan had requested.
Mr Ahern told Mr Annan the US and the UK were committed to a "vital role" in Iraq for the UN in relation to humanitarian issues and would lead a central role in them.
When asked what Mr Ahern understood by a "vital role" for the UN, a Government spokeswoman said Mr Ahern understood that in post-war Iraq the UN could not control everywhere, and the US and the UK could help control the situation.
Mr Ahern also told the Secretary-General that Ireland was of the view that the UN should have a role in the reconstruction of Iraq.
The spokeswoman said Mr Ahern welcomed the fact that Mr Annan will attend next week's European Council meeting in Athens, at which he hoped to discuss the issue with EU leaders.
Mr Ahern, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and Minister of State Mr Dick Roche will attend the council meeting.
Meanwhile, a protest was held outside the Dáil by Women Oppose War last night.
Up to 80 people gathered to protest against US-led military action in Iraq.
"We are here tonight in solidarity with Iraqi women and to protest against the occupation of Iraq by the US and UK forces," said Ms Anne Conway of Women Oppose War.
Responding to the scenes of jubilation on the streets of Baghdad, Ms Conway said, "of course we understand people are glad the war is over, of course they're delighted and want liberation. They've endured several wars already.
"But we're convinced the US will not give them that liberation. We believe the troops should leave immediately and leave the oil as an asset to the Iraqi people," Ms Conway added.
"We are banging our saucepans to show solidarity with Iraqi women and families who have had to endure 12 years of sanctions."
The banging of the saucepans outside the Dáil was to "identify with families who had to live with the noise and trauma of daily bombing", she added.
WOW said Sen Kathleen O'Meara (Lab) and Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna were among the speakers at the protest.