S/PV.5020 Security Council

I should like to inform the members of Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Iraq, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 24 of resolution 1483 (2003) and paragraph 12 of resolution 1511 (2003), which is contained in document S/2004/625. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2004/637, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council’s prior consultations. I should also like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to document S/2004/590, which contains the text of a letter dated 23 July 2004 from Egypt addressed to the President of the Security Council. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution (S/2004/637) before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1557 (2004). I wish to thank Under-Secretary-General Prendergast for his presence at this meeting. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.