Iraq central to Security Council work programme in December, President says

The Security Council President for December, Ambassador Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria, today outlined its work programme for the month, with Iraq expected to be a prominent source of activity.

At a briefing for reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Tafrov said December's schedule would include consultations on the report of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) on Iraq and a report on the return of Kuwaiti nationals and property.

Ambassador Tafrov said there would also be discussions following the delivery of a report on the implementation of resolution 1511, passed in October, which provides a framework for UN and international participation in the political and economic rebuilding of Iraq and the maintenance of security.

He added that he expected that the Council would discuss a letter sent recently by Iraq's Governing Council regarding a timetable for elections and the drafting of a constitution.

The President said that the Council would receive briefings on the situation in Burundi, Liberia and the Middle East.

The Council is also scheduled to discuss protecting civilians in armed conflict, peacekeeping, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guinea-Bissau and sanctions in Somalia.

Bulgaria has taken over the presidency in the final month of its two-year term on the Council, one of five countries whose terms expire at the end of this year. Those countries will be replaced in January by Algeria, Benin, Brazil, the Philippines and Romania.

Video of press briefing