In quotes: Security Council reaction

Members of the UN Security Council have unanimously adopted a US-sponsored resolution on Iraq which sets out its political future.

Below is the reaction by some of the Council members.

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The US Ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte:

Today's vote is a vote for the future of Iraq... Our consistent aim has been to support the Iraqi people... If there ever was a time to help Iraq, it is now.

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The UK Ambassador to the UN, Emyr Jones Parry:

The resolution puts the people of Iraq into the driving seat through the interim administration. It reaffirms Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the temporary nature of the coalition's powers.

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The French Ambassador to the UN, Jean-Marc de la Sabliere:

This draft certainly does not go as far as we would have liked. We would have preferred in particular that a clear text set more restrictive and closer deadlines for the transfer of responsibilities... Unity in the Security Council is a priority.

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The Russian Ambassador to the UN, Sergei Lavrov:

(The resolution) has more pluses than minuses.

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The German Ambassador to the UN, Gunter Pleuger:

We miss the clear signal that the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis will be accelerated. The role of the United Nations and in particular of the Secretary General could have been strengthened even more.

(The aim is)... to promote the restoration of sovereignty of the Iraqi people... This can only succeed when the Security Council appears as unified as possible. We therefore did not want to stand in the way of unity of the Security Council.

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The Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Wang Guangye:

This resolution undoubtedly will have positive significance... on the people of Iraq.

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The Spanish Ambassador to the UN, Inocencio Arias:

This is an important step to improve the lives of the Iraqi people. It (the resolution) constitutes a good news for Iraq and the United Nations.

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The Bulgarian Ambassador to the UN, Stefan Tafrov:

The resolution sends an important and strong political message... to the Iraqi people that their sovereignty will be... restored.

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The Chilean Ambassador to the UN, Juan Gabriel Valdes:

This resolution opens a new stage in the political, economic and social development of Iraq.

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The UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan:

The outcome is a clear demonstration of the will of all the members of the Security Council to place the interests of the Iraqi people above all other considerations.