"The three-man Iraqi delegation ... I suspect will be able to speak to the council under Article 37 of its own rules so I do not anticipate any difficulties of the council allowing the delegation to speak," Annan told reporters after arriving in the UN headquarters in New York.

Under Article 37 of council procedure rules, the council may invite UN member states who have no seats on the council to attend discussions on issues affecting their interests.

The UN chief said he would receive the delegation, two men and one woman, by himself.

Next Tuesday, the council is scheduled to hold an opening meeting to hear a briefing by Annan's special representative Sergio de Mello on UN efforts to help rebuild Iraq.

Spanish Ambassador Inocencio Arias, who holds the rotating council presidency, told reporters he saw no problem with the delegation's participation in the council meeting.

He said he was conducting bilateral consultations with other council members of the 15-nation body.

But diplomats here believe the council itself should first sort out the status of the delegation -- whether it's part of the occupation authority or representing an interim government.

The 25-member Iraqi Governing Council, inaugurated in Baghdad on Sunday, has the ability to appoint ministers, approve the national budget and review laws, but all its major decisions need to be approved by the occupying powers.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2003)