Security Council to focus on Iraq this month, incoming president says

The United Nations Security Council will continue its attention to unfolding developments in Iraq while keeping African hotspots high on the agenda, the body's incoming President said today.

Briefing reporters in New York, Ambassador Lauro L. Baja of the Philippines said work in June would be "dominated" by discussions on Iraq, and anticipated extensive consultations on a new draft resolution on the matter sponsored by the United States and the United Kingdom.

In addition, an open briefing by Iraq's Foreign Minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, the President said.

Other meetings planned for June will focus on the situation in West Africa, the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia as well as developments in the Middle East.

The Council will also have open debates on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the role of civil society in post-conflict peacebuilding.

Video of the press briefing