"From what we have seen in the (media) reports it appears there is no functioning governments in Iraq at the moment," Annan told reporters when he arrived at the UN headquarters in New York.

Citing scenes of looting in Iraq, Annan said, "Obviously law and order must be a major concern."

"The (Security) Council has also reaffirmed that the Hague Regulation and the Geneva Conventions apply to this conflict and that the coalition has a responsibility for the welfare of the people in this area," he said.

Annan expressed the hope that the occupying forces would heed the call of the council.

On the question of weapons inspectors, Annan said their mandate is still valid and is only suspended because of the US-led war.

"I would expect (Hans) Blix and (Mohammed) ElBaradei to be able to return as soon as it is possible and I think they are the ones with the mandate to disarm Iraq, and when the situation permits they should go back to resume their work," he stressed.

Blix, chairman of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, and ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are the top two weapons inspectors.

Asked about his Monday meeting with Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammed Aldouri, Annan said Aldouri did not ask him for an asylum or protection.

A UN spokeswoman confirmed that Annan is due to meet with Aldouri again on Thursday at the latter's request.

Aldouri admitted on Wednesday that the war in Iraq was "over."

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2003)