Date set for Security Council debate on Iraq

The UN Security Council will begin debate Wednesday on Iraq, council president Martin Belinga-Eboutou of Cameroon announced last night.

South African UN ambassador Dumisani Kumalo requested the debate in a letter to Belinga-Eboutou written on behalf of the non-aligned nations movement.

In it, Kumalo alluded to an earlier letter from the movement which "emphasised the urgent need for a peaceful solution to the issue of Iraq."

Council members have for more than a month been considering the demand of the administration of US President George W. Bush for a resolution defining tough new conditions for UN weapons inspections in Iraq.

AFP