Painting a grim picture of the situation in Iraq, the United Nations has said that prospects of an all-out civil war in the country or even a regional conflict have become much more real over the past three months, with a significant rise in sectarian violence and terrorist attacks.
In a report released ahead of Monday's open debate in the Security Council over the deteriorating situation in the strife-torn country, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has suggested holding an international conference to foster national reconciliation there and offered UN' good offices in arranging it.
Annan's report and Council discussion come at a significant moment when the Bush administration is under pressure to modify its policy, which failed to bring peace to the country.
The "sectarian carnage" has resulted in a vicious cycle of violence fuelled by revenge killings, Annan said in the report, which will probably be his last.
"The challenge is not only to contain and defuse the current violence, but also to prevent its escalation," he said stressing that the situation has deteriorated since he warned in his last report in September that Iraq was at an important crossroads between taking the high road to negotiation and compromise or descending further into fratricidal sectarian conflict.
"Although there appears to be greater Iraqi and international support for a more active United Nations role, should there be a further deterioration of the security situation, the viability of maintaining a significant United Nations presence in Iraq might be called into question," Annan warned.
"There can be no tolerance for exposing United Nations personnel to unacceptable risk."
However, he said in the light of the deteriorating situation in Iraq and its potentially grave regional implications, it may be necessary to consider more creative ways for fostering regional dialogue and understanding, which could result in concrete confidence-building measures between Iraq and its neighbours.
"This process could be broadened to include the permanent members of the Security Council. The United Nations is prepared to explore the possibilities of such a process in consultation with all concerned."
Citing positive UN experiences in other parts of the world, he raises the prospect of bringing Iraqi political parties together, possibly outside Iraq, with the UN playing a facilitating role.
Annan reaffirms the UN commitment to Iraq in the political and humanitarian fields, including strong support for the constitutional review process and immediate and long-term relief needs.
He recalled as "one of the darkest moments in my career" the bombing of the UN compound in Baghdad in August 2003 when the world body lost 22 friends and colleagues, including the head of the mission, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
