High-level talks have opened at the UN in New York on the future of Iraq. The meeting is being co-chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Some twenty countries are taking part – including the five permanent members of the Security Council – Russia, Britain, France, China and the U.S. Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that his government would provide any necessary security for an expanded United Nations presence in his country. “The relationship between us and the UN will become more effective and based on what the Iraqi government is demanding in a way of help and support. The UN Secretary General has expressed his support for that,” said Nouri al-Maliki. “We will soon increase the number of staff as soon as the integrated facilities are ready for safety and security of our staff,” noted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.