Russia on Thursday threw its weight behind a French call for a new United Nations resolution on post-war Iraq, saying such a move would help secure greater international support for efforts to rebuild the country.

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, echoing comments made by France's defense minister last Monday, told Russian journalists a new U.N. resolution was required that would also open the way to establishing a new political leadership in Iraq.

"The quicker such a resolution is taken by the UN Security Council, the greater the chances of the international community showing assistance to the Iraqi people in overcoming the present difficult crisis," Ivanov, whose comments were confirmed by the Foreign Ministry, said.

Ivanov put Russia's view as US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns held talks in Moscow on Iraq's post-war reconstruction and the Middle East conflict.

A White House spokesman said last Saturday that current UN resolutions provide enough authority for other countries to contribute to reconstruction and stabilization efforts.

France, Russia and Germany, who all opposed the US-led war that ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, have indicated they would send peacekeeping troops or help in other ways if the United Nations had a bigger role.

The United States launched the war in Iraq without seeking a fresh mandate from the United Nations after France vowed to veto any resolution paving the way for the automatic use of force against Baghdad.

Since President Bush declared major combat over on May 1, US troops in Iraq have faced persistent guerrilla attacks and the United States is seeking to ease the load on the approximately 148,000 US troops in country.

Ivanov said a new resolution would help toward the formation of a provisional Iraqi administration leading to a new constitution being drawn up and democratic elections being held.

(China Daily August 8, 2003)