Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 January 2005. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Monday, 17 January 2005 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Oral Answer of 8th December 2004, 428, c1168, what the basis was for his claim that the United Nations appointed the interim Government in Iraq; and under what legal provision this appointment was made.

Answer: Alan Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer of 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 1167, what the basis was for his claim that the United Nations appointed the interim Government in Iraq; and under what legal provision this appointment was made. [208378] The Prime Minister: The Iraqi Interim Government (IIG), as outlined in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), was appointed by Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi (the then UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Iraq) after thorough consultations with Iraqis representing all Iraq's ethnic and sectarian groups and with the Coalition Provisional Authority. UN Resolution 1546 endorses the formation of the IIG, and its assumption of full responsibility and authority for Iraq following the transfer of authority in June. A national conference was held in August to elect an Advisory Council to oversee the performance of the IIG, whose structures and powers were enshrined in an annexe to the TAL.

Secondary information