In Iraq, UN envoy, Prime Minister hold talks on transition process

The United Nations envoy for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, met today in Baghdad with interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi for talks on the situation in the country and the UN role in helping it through the transitional process.

Since his return last month to Baghdad, Mr. Qazi, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Iraq, has been meeting with a number of Iraqi officials and representatives of various civil society organizations and political entities.

The meetings are intended to explore means through which the UN can work with these groups in advancing the political process through the broadening of an inclusive political dialogue, according to a UN spokesman.