U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers on Thursday appealed for Iraq's neighbours to keep open their borders to people fleeing a U.S.-led war.
Possible 600,000 Iraqi refugees are expected and
the UN agency issued its call as the first ones arrived in neighbouring Jordan just hours after the U.S. launched its attack.
"We must do everything we can to alleviate that suffering, including keeping borders open so that those fearing for their lives can reach safety in neighbouring states," Lubbers, a former Dutch prime minister, said in a statement.
Lubbers also called for unrestricted access to all border areas to enable its 200 staff in the region to monitor arrivals and "ensure that the rights of refugees are respected".