"Indeed it is an issue that is under discussion," Annan told reporters when asked about the possibility of a UN peacekeeping force in Iraq.

Iraq has been under the administration of the United States and its junior partner Britain since the downfall of the Iraqi government of President Saddam Hussein. Washington has called on the international community to send troops to help police the chaotic post-war Iraq.

But many countries, including India and France, have made it clear that they would not participate in any peacekeeping force in Iraq unless it was a UN flag.

"This is not an issue just for France and India," Annan told reporters while arriving at the UN headquarters in New York. "Other governments are grappling with the same issue and the question has been posed as to whether or not Security Council action may not help improve the situation."

He explained that such a council action is to expand UN activities in Iraq and perhaps appeal to the member states to make troops, policemen and other resources available for the stabilization of Iraq.

"When and if that action would be taken by the council I do not know, but discussions are going on," he noted.

Annan's remarks were confirmed soon in Washington, where US Secretary of State Colin Powell said the US administration had started contact with other governments on the possibility of a new UN mandate for Iraq.

"There are some nations who've expressed a desire for more of a mandate from the United Nations and I am in conversation with some ministers about this," Powell told reporters after meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

Powell revealed that he had touched this issue with Annan when the UN chief paid a visit to Washington on Monday.

But Powell insisted that the United States continue to believe the current UN mandate is enough for other countries to send troops to Iraq.

Security Council resolution 1483, adopted in May, endorsed the US and British occupying authority's administration of Iraq and handed it the power to control Iraq's oil industry. The United Nations was authorized to work with the occupation authority and play an independent role in helping rebuild Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2003)