The United Nations must resume its role in Iraq in accordance with its various resolutions, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Monday.

The UN had withdrawn from Iraq when its office was bombed and Sergio de Mello, its chief representative, was killed.

At an appearance with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Washington, DC, Powell said, "I have been in touch with UN Secretary General [Kofi] Annan... to discuss the role the UN might play, and to inquire of him how he is coming along with respect to designating a new secretary general's representative for Iraq.

"We want the UN to play a role, and it is a part of our plan in moving forward."

Powell acknowledged that security had been the major factor in the UN's reluctance in playing the desired role in Iraq.

"But I think it's time now, with this new plan (to restore sovereignty to Iraq by installing an interim government in six months), for the UN to determine whether or not circumstances will permit it to play a more active role inside the country."