Speaking to the press after the UN Security Council met on the monthly working schedule, Negroponte said his country does not think any further discussion on Iraq is either necessary or desirable.

"We think that there has been ample of discussion on the Iraqi question during the open meeting we had in the Security Council the other day," he said. "So we see no reason whatsoever to transfer or to transport this issue to the General Assemble."

In a statement, the 57-member Islamic Conference Group called for a resolution in the assembly against the US-led war. It called for an immediate cease-fire, withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq, and respect for its sovereignty.

Richard Sydenham, spokesman for General Assembly President Jan Kavan, said no formal request had been received so far on convening the 191-nation world body.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2003)