Iraq seeks funds diversion

Iraq is reported to be pressing the United Nations to set aside $15m from its oil-for-food revenues to pay dues it owes the UN.

Iraq is allowed to sell oil to pay for humanitarian supplies under an exemption from the embargo imposed on it over its short-lived invasion of Kuwait.

The UN has refused previous Iraqi requests that some of the funds be used to pay back arrears.

Iraq has no vote in the UN General Assembly until it pays its debts to the organisation.

The oil-for-food programme was launched in 1996 to help ordinary Iraqis affected by sanctions.

Meanwhile, a conference in Baghdad has denounced the continuing embargo as a violation of human rights.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service