Iraqi Shiite protesters demonstrate against US troops in the northern predominantly Shiite suburb of Baghdad. Meanwhile the UN Security Council was set to acknowledge but not formally recognize Iraq's interim government. Photo by AFP
The UN Security Council was set to acknowledge but not formally recognize Iraq's interim government as a message attributed to ousted dictator Saddam Hussein called on Iraqi Shiites to wage holy war against the US-led occupation. The United States promised to produce proof of Iraq's efforts to develop banned nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, while gunmen claiming links to al-Qaeda left calling cards at the scene of a deadly shootout with US troops. Security Council members were scheduled to vote on a US resolution that acknowledges but does not formally recognise Iraq's interim administration, diplomats said Wednesday. The original US draft put to the other four permanent members of the council for consultation had proposed saying that United Nations members "endorse" the Governing Council of Iraq set up by the United States and Britain.