Iraq resolution: Your views

The United Nations Security Council has overwhelmingly agreed to lift economic sanctions against Iraq after 13 years.

All but one of the Security Council members voted to adopt the resolution, including France, Russia and Germany who had originally opposed the war.

The resolution also backed Iraq's US-led administration. The vote took place nine weeks to the day after US-led coalition forces invaded Iraq in a military campaign that removed Saddam Hussein's regime.

Do you agree with the Security Council's decision? What should be the role of the UN?

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Thank you for your e-mails. This debate is now closed. A selection of your comments is published below.

The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

The Iraqis are a people brutalized by bad luck and circumstances. That there was even a debate about lifting sanctions shows that the UN still puts politics ahead of people and that the coalition forces were right to simply ignore them in resolving the outstanding issues in that Iraq. Right now the UN would be wise to do it's utmost to show that action is something it can do in addition to chattering over lunch, if it wishes to be seen as a credible organisation capable of playing a constructive role in the future.
Jeff, England

If countries are not brave enough to either vote or abstain they should be thrown off the Security Council al, UK

Of course the sanctions had to go. What is really pathetic is the typical Syrian "no vote" fiasco, a ploy which enables them to take any position they want after the event. They didn't even have the courage to abstain. If countries are not brave enough to either vote or abstain they should be thrown off the Security Council.
al, UK

This resolution should never have been implemented in the first place because it only hurt the decent people of Iraq. Unfortunately, the lifting of the sanctions will be good not only for the citizens of Iraq but also for the many oil/gas and other multinationals are beginning to profit from the spoils of war. Had Iraq been located in Europe, this immoral war would have not happened. God will take account of what's happened in Iraq.
Johnny Franco Arboine, Humanity

The economic sanctions were originally against the Saddam government. The Saddam government does not exist anymore, to which we should be thankful. To have not lifted the sanctions would have been a political statement, not an intelligent act. Let's give these poor Iraq people a fighting chance to restore a decent government that meets their needs.
Russ Hughes, USA

Lifting sanctions on Iraq is a moot point. The sanctions were on Saddam Hussein's government. What needs to be done now is much more of a law and order effort by the US, the UK, the UN and neighbouring countries. The plight of the Iraqis is not getting any better - it is getting worse. I'm ashamed that my country (USA) isn't doing what's obviously needed - more security forces on the ground asap. Reconstruction, self-government, etc. cannot come about without security. Iraqis also must step up to the plate. Without good Iraqi leadership/citizenship the situation there just will not improve.
Steve Baran, USA

Let us now show our strength by having the courage of our convictions Gordon Mottau, England

The war was justified because Saddam had to go, but now we are facing the inevitable consequence, which was expected by all but the most naive. We now have most of the world hating us and the rest resenting us for our successes. Let us now show our strength by having the courage of our convictions and ignoring our critics.
Gordon Mottau, England

Lifting the sanctions will hopefully ease the plight of the long suffering Iraqi people. However I am both surprised (pleasantly for a change) and apprehensive with the UN and the speed with which they have reacted to this situation. I will watch closely and hope they don't help develop an already very bad situation into a disaster.
Kenny, UK

The Iraqi people now have a chance to establish their own democracy - a government not based on fear and human abuse but on consensus. The UN has proven itself to be a toothless organisation.
Max Delamare, Germany

Absolutely the sanctions should be lifted. They are a blunt instrument that can hurt the wrong people. The issue with Iraq was not the decent human beings who inhabit the country, but rather the awful regime that ran it. That regime is now gone, so there is no need to continue to punish the people.
Paul Rowlands, UK

Lifting the sanction is good for the lraqi people and it should have been done a long time ago if the US/UK really care about the lraqi people. However this resolution is wrong and shameful, it amounts to daylight robbery by the US/UK and it only prove the real motive behind this illegal occupation of lraq. This is going to send the wrong message to the world and it will further discredit the UN.
Tom Simon, London, England

The Iraqi people have suffered enough Rakotoniaina Andriatahiana Andry, Madagascar

Yes, I agree with this decision. I honestly think that the Iraqi people have suffered enough. It's high time for them to be able to live peacefully in a democratic and developed nation.
Rakotoniaina Andriatahiana Andry, Madagascar

Yes, it is good that sanctions have been lifted as long as it is for the good of the people of Iraq and not for the greater glory of the USA
Alec Lyall, Scotland

This resolution is shameful. The anti-war countries (the majority in the council) were more or less forced to back it despite their objections to US/UK control. No-one could have opposed the lifting of sanctions. But this does not give legitimacy to the illegal invasion.
Phil Martin, UK

Another blow to the concept of justice and international law Zaman, USA

This is another blow to the concept of justice and international law. I am glad that the inhumane sanctions are finally over, but the question is under what conditions? The situation of the Iraqi people since their "liberation" does not show any evidence that the occupying force has either the interest or the capability to look after their well-being.
Zaman, USA

It seems that the people who were critical of sanctions before, are just as critical of lifting them. No concern is shown for the Iraqi people, just distaste for the US. What hypocrisy!
Shawn, Eugene, OR, USA

Sanctions should not have been lifted prior to the return of UN weapons inspectors. The UN should be in charge of reconstruction, period.
Kathy Hay, USA

It is time the world left Iraq to go its own way David, UK

This is wonderful news. Now perhaps Iraq can begin the long haul back to being a country free from foreign meddling and a swift return to democratic government. It is time the world left Iraq to go its own way.
David, UK

I think that the resolution is not a surprise but it is a gross miscarriage of justice. It sends the wrong message to the world. If you have a powerful army and want to be a bully and ignore the UN you will be rewarded.
Norman Harper, USA

So there is now a UN precedent for invasion and dismantling of regimes that abuse their people and threaten the security of the world at large and defies UN resolutions. About time! The next time the UN Security Council has to face up to a Saddam it will know that there is a presumption for action in the absence of any proper decision... I call that progress.
Andy, UK

The Iraqi people are free to live their lives without fear Paddy, UK

The slow process of rebuilding Iraq has begun. The sanctions have been lifted, Saddam is no longer and the Iraqi people are free to live their lives without fear. The US and UK will not be administrating the country for good, they are there only to help proceedings and to ensure safety in the country. It is sad to see people still believing this war was solely for oil, but thankfully they are just a minority, and when someone else comes up with another excuse to use, they will follow along with that.
Paddy, UK

Am I alone in finding the current 'divvying-up' of contracts to 'rebuild' Iraq, somewhat distasteful? The war had only just started when thoughts turned to the issuing of contracts to rebuild the country. The issuing of civil construction contracts should have been up to the Iraqis. The West should have merely provided interim help.
Martyn Howie, Scotland

The sanctions didn't serve their purpose! Saddam retained throughout the 13 years his luxurious lifestyle, while the people of Iraq starved. In the meantime the US, UK, French and other countries were making deals with him under the table. US foreign policy has lost any credibility; this resolution, and the absolute freedom that gives to the US administration over Iraq's wealth, is just another proof that this war had nothing to do with WMD and democracy.
KS, UK

Lifting of sanctions was the appropriate thing to do Pratik, England

The lifting of sanctions was the appropriate thing to do. The recent evidence of mass graves and the fact that during the oil for food programme, while the people of Iraq were suffering, Saddam Hussein was building expensive palaces, is evident enough that the lifting of the sanctions was the right thing.
Pratik, England

News on the lifting of sanctions can be viewed this way. The corporations of Haliburton and friends have finally won all. The respect of the UN has effectively been destroyed and the days of 'bomb to order' for corporate rebuilding contracts are probably here to stay.
John Morrison, UK

I remember Tony Blair stating quite categorically before the invasion of Iraq that the oilfields would be taken into trust by the United Nations as soon as the war ended. Not only has this not been facilitated in the UN resolution but it flies in the face of his pre-war commitment. Yet he was a co-sponsor of the resolution. Still that's our Tony!!
Eamon Dyas, UK

This is a great relief for the Iraqi people. It is the first step on their struggle to rejoin the top table of nations as a free and democratic Arab state.
Andrew, UK

This resolution should have been blocked but France, Russia, Germany no longer have the stomach to stand up for the principles they evoked. Apart from national commercial interests, there are after all some pretty fundamental principles involved. For the first time in history, the UN has legitimised the invasion by one member state of another member state, on very questionable pretexts.

When I was a young banker at training school, a crusty old banker would remind us that the most important power we had, however low our rank, was to withhold signature on a credit we felt was wrong. And not to allow ourselves to be bullied into signing. The Security Council has the same power; it lacked the courage to withhold its approval. We are entering a dangerous era.
Lawrence Anderson Burley, Malaysia

This goes to show that Iraq was invaded under false pretences Maxwell Kawere, Zimbabwe

It would have been a really great thing for the Iraqi people to lift the sanctions after declaring it weapons-free. The lifting of sanctions without doing so defeats the purpose they were imposed for. The Iraqi people were made to suffer for their oil. This goes to show that Iraq was invaded under false pretences.
Maxwell Kawere, Zimbabwe

I think it is great that the sanctions have been lifted. But I do not agree that the US and the UK should administer Iraq. I believe on the whole that America and the England will stay and run Iraq full time and this is wrong.
Danny P, Australia

Absurd. The control of Iraqi oil is clearly the reason for the invasion. This occupation is as shameful as any can be, with France and Russia intimidated into becoming accomplices for contracts and oil!
Kiiza Amooti, Uganda

This is the right and proper way to end the reign of a despotic ruler. Perhaps now the Iraqi people will start to occupy their rightful place in the Middle East and in the rest of the world. Good luck to them.
Derrick Parker, England

Lifting sanctions was definitely the right thing to do. Thirteen years of sanctions has punished the already suffering Iraqi people enough. However supporting a US led administration is another matter. When many of the major rebuilding and management contracts are being awarded (not through any tender process - selective or open) to companies that contributed to the Republican election campaign - one must wonder who the main beneficiaries of lifted UN sanctions will be. We are told that all the oil wealth will be put in trust for the Iraqi people. But when such information seeps out rather than being announced, one wonders if a few hundred million might go elsewhere.
Chris Hollett, UK

UNSC had no choice. You cannot impose sanctions on an aggressive regime and maintain them after it has been toppled. The unanimous vote also means that France, Germany and Russia want to improve their standing in Washington to avoid confrontation at the Evian summit.
Meerkat, USA

The sanctions should have been lifted years ago L, Scotland

As ever I am very suspicious. The sanctions should have been lifted years ago and could have been one of the peaceful steps towards removing Saddam. However, I just hope that the Iraqi people will prosper under self-government without the US greedily licking its lips in anticipation of the oil that will soon be freed up and new contracts that may be signed in their favour.
L, Scotland

Why should the sanctions have been lifted years ago as many say? So the world could reward Saddam Hussein for his good behaviour? So some countries could continue doing business with a terrible tyrant? If people believe Saddam wouldn't have simply pocketed any profits while his people suffered, they are under a delusion. Now the money from Iraqi oil can go where it should go - into the hands of the Iraqi people. It was Saddam Hussein who dragged the Iraqi people backwards. It wasn't the US or "Zionists" or UN sanctions.
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

The sanctions were imposed against Saddam's regime and not the people of Iraq. If the country is to be rebuilt and life improve there then of course the sanctions must end.
Andrew, UK

The fact that the sanctions have been lifted appears to be a positive move, at least it will be if the people of Iraq themselves actually benefit from it. However, it seems as if the UN has given its support by allowing major control of Iraq going to the US with very little control going to an interim Iraqi Government. I am concerned as to how this is going to be interpreted at the grassroots level in Iraq, as well as the Middle East as a whole. It seems somehow significant that Syria was absent from these proceedings.
M. Clark, US

This is simply the UN bowing to the threats made by the USA. France and co only signed up to avoid any further economic ramifications from daring to oppose the will of the US. America has no place in Iraq and has no right to enforce its pseudo style of democracy onto its people.
Chris, UK

As always the winner of a war is deciding what will happen to the defeated country. Nobody asks anymore whether the war was justified or where you can find the weapons of mass destruction
Uli, Germany

Oh here we go again, a world of backroom deals and bribes. After France, Russia, Germany showed themselves to have some backbone in trying to stop the illegal invasion of Iraq, now they are clambering to save their contracts. They should realise that the US hasn't given Spain or UK any contracts, there is no chance that they will give these guys any. This resolution should have been blocked.
Vish, UK

I think it's due time to bury the hatchet and move on for all sides. The chance to begin a new train of thought, peace and the freedom to disagree without fear of retribution, needs to germinate and grow. Arabs need to know they can disagree with the way "Americans" live and still co-exist without fear of losing their heritage or culture.
David S., USA