At the presence of Iraqi and US delegates, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called for an early end of the US-British military occupation of Iraq and a quick return of rule to the Iraqis.

"Our collective goal remains an early end to the military occupation through the formation of an internationally recognized, representative government," Annan said in a speech delivered at the onset of a UN Security Council open session.

"It is vital that the Iraqi people should be able to see a clear timetable with a specific sequence of events leading to the full restoration of sovereignty as soon as possible," he stressed.

As a practical step to restore Iraq's self government, the establishment of the Iraqi Governing Council "must be followed by a constitutional process run by and for Iraqis," Annan noted.

In his address, Annan also reiterated the fundamental principles set out by Security Council resolution 1483 for UN activities in the post-war Iraq.

These principles include the need to restore sovereignty to the people of Iraq as soon as possible and respect the Iraqi people's right to determine their political future, he said.

"We need to keep the interests of the Iraqi people at the forefront of our minds," he emphasized.. "We should listen to their needs, expressed by them in their terms, and we should try to respond."

The UN chief also welcomed the presence of representatives from the Iraqi Governing Council and lauded the formation of the 25-member body as "an important first step toward the full restoration of Iraqi sovereignty."

The three-member Iraqi delegation was here to seek the recognition of the Security Council for the Governing Council, which was handpicked by the US occupation authority and has yet to gain international endorsement.

To avoid a direct recognition of the Governing Council, the Security Council invited former Iraqi foreign minister Adan Pachachi, a member of the delegation, to speak at the open debate in his personal capacity.

UN officials earlier confirmed that the Security Council has not yet taken a position on the Governing Council.

The Security Council was meeting to debate a report orally presented by Annan's special representative Sergio de Mello on UN efforts in helping rebuild Iraq in political, economic and humanitarian fields.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2003)