Rescuers have pulled at least three more bodies from the ruins of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad to bring to 23 the number killed in the truck bombing.
A UN spokesman said today there are no plans for a mass evacuation of the organisation's personnel from the country.
|
|
A US helicopter flies above the
ruins of the United Nations HQ in Baghdad |
The top UN envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was among those killed in Tuesday's bomb. Mr De Mello's spokesman, Mr Salim Lone, said the death toll among the world body's staff had risen to 20 after more corpses were found overnight.
At least three Iraqis were also killed and at least 100 people were wounded in the bombing.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said today the United States would be discussing with UN Security Council members the possible needfor them to "do more" in Iraq.
Speaking after meeting with UN Secretary-General Mr KofiAnnan, Mr Powell said the US ambassador to the United Nations would be talking with other officials about language for a UNresolution.
"We're looking at, of course, reaffirming our determinationto succeed in Iraq," Mr Powell said. "We're looking forward tolanguage that might call on member states to do more. Thepresident has always felt the UN has a vital role to play.
"We are now exploring language with our Security Councilcolleagues."
Mr Annan said the United Nations, however, had no intention ofsending its own peacekeepers.
Earlier, Mr Annan stopped short of blaming the United States for not preventing the attacks - saying both the UN and United States had made mistakes.
Speaking last night to the UN Council, Mr Annan said "Yesterday was one of the darkest days in the history of the United Nations."
"The blue flag has never been so viciously assaulted as it was yesterday," he said. "We are distraught at the loss of so many beloved colleagues and friends."
The attack showed fresh security measures were clearly required for UN staff in Iraq, and an assessment of what was needed was already under way," he said.
|
The United States is searching for a way to encourage other nations to commit more troops to Iraq to provide security for humanitarian work despite its insistence on remaining firmly in control of the occupation and reconstruction of the country.
Diplomats said any resolution was not expected to change the US command structure in Iraq and therefore would not meet the demands of countries such as France, which has insisted on a much broader UN mandate as a condition of sending troops.