Concern over 'humanitarian casualties'

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed increasing concern about the civilian casualty toll in the war against Iraq, citing an attack in a residential area of Baghdad.

Annan reminded the United States that it is responsible for providing humanitarian aid to civilians in areas controlled by the coalition.

At the same time, though, the United Nations moved on two fronts to prepare for its own resumption of humanitarian aid to Iraq.

Annan hosted a meeting of UN agencies involved in relief operations, to work on an appeal for about £1.3 billion in aid for Iraq. And the Security Council discussed a draft resolution that would authorise Annan to run the UN programme that provides food to more than 13 million Iraqis for 45 days.

The council remains bitterly divided over the decision of the United States, Britain and Spain to attack Iraq after abandoning an attempt to get UN. authorisation. That division spilled into negotiations on the resolution to revise the oil-for-food program.

Proposals by British Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock to focus on technical issues and avoid political differences appeared to clear the roadblock. Germany, France, Chile and the United States reported good progress.

In expressing concern about civilian casualties, Annan cited reports from Baghdad that missiles struck a heavily populated area, killing 14 people and injuring 30. It was the worst reported instance of civilian deaths since the war began a week ago.

"I'm getting increasingly concerned by humanitarian casualties in this conflict," Annan said. "I would want to remind all belligerents that they should respect international humanitarian law and take all necessary steps to protect civilians."

About 60% of Iraq's 22 million people are fed through the oil-for-food program began in 1996 to help civilians cope with UN sanctions on the country.

Under the programme, Iraq is allowed to sell unlimited quantities of oil provided the money goes mainly to buy food, medicine and other humanitarian goods. The proceeds from oil sales are deposited in a UN-controlled account.

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