The United Nations has pulled out more staff from Baghdad over safety concerns despite seeking an enhanced role in running the country.
The withdrawals reduce the UN presence to around 30 staff. They began after the deadly bombing on August 19th that killed 22 people, including the head of mission, Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello.
"As everyone knows, this is a war zone and the conflict affects everyone, principally the Iraqi people who have to live in these conditions," said senior UN official, Mr Kevin Kennedy, in Baghdad.
"We have had to adjust our operations to the realities of the situation on the ground," he said, emphasizing that UN humanitarian projects would continue, though perhaps in a reduced form.
Meanwhile, as a concession to France and other council members, which want to see a quick handover of power to the Iraqis, a new UN resolution is expected to set a schedule and define more clearly the role of the UN representative in Iraq.
But its independence from the US-led occupation authorities could be a sticking point.
"What we want is a sovereign provisional government as soon as possible so we can work in Iraq like we do in other countries instead of being asked to be part of military occupation," a UN source said.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has told Security Council members that he wants to see a plan that would turn over power to a provisional Iraqi government within three to five months, UN officials said.