US Ambassador to the UN John Negroponte suggested Friday the establishment of a new multinational force dedicated to protecting the UN staff in Iraq.

Briefing the UN Security Council on the situation in Iraq, Negroponte voiced hope that the world body would return its personnel to the war-wracked country to help with the transition of sovereignty on June 30.

"With the support of the United Nations, the United States has begun to solicit force contributions for the protection of a broad-based UN mission whose role will be further defined by Security Council action," Negroponte said.

"I believe that I do not overstate the broad desire within the international community for the United Nations to return to Iraq to play an expansive, robust and vital role, in particular after the June 30 transition" to Iraqi sovereignty, he told the 15-member council.

His briefing also touched on the deadly clashes in recent days,which he said included ambush and mutilation, riots and attacks perpetrated by insurgents, terrorists who have infiltrated Iraq, and militia affiliated with radical elements. "The violence has been terrible, and the losses great," he said.

He said the current multinational force has continued to recruit, train and equip Iraqi security forces in preparation for their assuming responsibility for maintaining security and enforcing the rule of law.

Currently, there are some 200,000 Iraqi security forces either on duty or in training. The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, now totaling approximately 32,000, is designed to support police efforts, according to the US ambassador.

In addition, there are some 74,000 personnel charged with protecting Iraq's strategic infrastructure, government buildings and cultural and educational assets. The Iraqi Armed Forces have nearly 4,000 personnel, while there are approximately 23,000 Iraqiborder police and immigration and customs inspectors now working, he said.

Source: Xinhua