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UN Offers to Boost Iraq Presence

New Baghdad compound and mediation aid also on the table

Posted Aug 8, 2007 8:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has offered to increase personnel in Iraq for the first time in more than 3 years and is seeking $130 million to build a reinforced compound in Baghdad for the growing UN mission. Ban faces a backlash from member states afraid of inheriting a US-created disaster, while the Iraqi government is concerned that UN interference will dilute its power.

The White House in particular wants help resolving sectarian disputes. "The UN can reach out to many groups and some groups that do not want to talk to other external players," said American UN Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. The US and Britain are pushing for a Security Council resolution tomorrow calling for reconciliation talks and international support for Iraq.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, left, waves to the crowd during a visit to the slum of Cite Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007. Ban Ki-moon is for first time in Haiti to observe a U.N.... (Associated Press)

In this photo released by United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Brazilian Army Maj. Gen. Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz, left, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon review a U.N.... (Associated Press)

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, meets with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at an early morning meeting at U.N. headquarters Tuesday, July 31, 2007. (AP Photo/David Karp) (Associated Press)

President Bush, right, meets with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Associated Press)

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commemorates the 60th anniversary of the United Nations during a visit to San Francisco on Thursday, July 26, 2007. At right is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.(AP... (Associated Press)

President Bush, right, greets United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Associated Press)

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks during a media conference at the EU Council building in Brussels, Tuesday July 10, 2007. Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for urgent action to tackle the... (Associated Press)

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UN Offers to Boost Iraq Presence

New Baghdad compound and mediation aid also on the table

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UN Offers to Boost Iraq Presence

New Baghdad compound and mediation aid also on the table

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • United Nations • Baghdad • White House • Zalmay Khalilzad • Iraq war • UN Security Council • Ban Ki-moon

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

UN to Increase Iraq Presence

US praises decision, but adds it too will continue to be involved

Bush, Brown Back UN Iraq Force

Security Council resolution could mark beginning of exit strategy

Fear Rules Iraq, Briefers Tell Congress

Benchmarks not likely to be met, say Crocker, Petraeus

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

Double Blasts Kill 35 in Iraq

Roadside bomb follows car bomb in city north of Baghdad

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Newser By Users

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