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The 63-page report, submitted by Secretary-General Annan, highlights the dire state of Iraq's oil industry under UN trade sanctions, warning that continued deterioration will jeopardize UN relief operations. Low oil prices, bureaucratic delays, and blocked contracts have undermined efforts to improve life for 22 million Iraqis living under
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Iraq has sold more than $20 billion worth of oil under a restricted sales program to meet its citizens' most urgent needs since December 1996, with an additional $13 billion raised in recent months. The influx of funds has enabled Iraq to meet essential needs, including food, medicines, and
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The United Nations' oil-for-food program, intended to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, has only managed to meet 66 percent of their actual needs, according to Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammad Mehdi Salah. This shortfall is due in part to delays in approving contracts under the program, which allows
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Jordanian King Abdullah Bin Hussein arrived in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on December 26 to perform Umra and engage in talks with King Fahd Ibn Abdul-Aziz on key regional issues. The discussions, set to center around enhancing bilateral cooperation and the Middle East peace process, particularly the Syrian-Israeli negotiations,
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As the vote on the Anglo-Dutch draft resolution concerning Iraq looms, intense lobbying has intensified in the United Nations Security Council. The proposed resolution aims to determine the composition of a new arms monitoring commission for Iraq and the conditions under which the sanctions against Iraq would be lifted. Despite
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Egyptian President Mubarak's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia is expected to focus on a wide range of regional issues, including the Middle East peace process and the latest developments in Syria-Israel negotiations. Diplomatic analysts in Cairo believe that the leaders will discuss the resumption of Syria-Israel peace talks
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The United Nations has offered Saddam Hussein a deal to suspend its punishing sanctions against Iraq in exchange for allowing another arms inspection team into the country. Despite Baghdad's rejection of the deal in advance, the resolution, which had the impact of international law, remains a significant development
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Following a three-week hiatus, Iraq is poised to resume its oil exports, backed by a new UN comprehensive resolution. The UK-sponsored resolution, nearing adoption, would give Iraq the green light to boost exports and output, whether or not the country allows arms inspectors back on the ground. The resolution includes
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Britain is pushing for a UN vote on a resolution that offers Iraq sanctions relief in exchange for a resumption of arms inspections, with 11 out of 15 Security Council members supporting the draft. The proposal seeks to revive the UN arms inspection system, which collapsed a year ago after
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A year of contentious debate over United Nations sanctions against Iraq is nearing a resolution. The UN Security Council's proposal to ease sanctions on Iraq in exchange for cooperation on arms inspections and disarmament has gained momentum. Russia, Iraq's strongest supporter, is reportedly considering an abstention,
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Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz has announced that he will travel to Moscow for talks on a draft UN Security Council resolution aimed at easing sanctions on Iraq in exchange for allowing new weapons inspections. However, the Security Council remains deeply divided on the proposal, with France appearing poised
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The UN's imminent decision on Iraq's oil exports is poised to prolong the country's oil export halt for another week, with global oil stocks expected to dip below 1996 levels by year's end. The US and UK, despite Baghdad's rejection
