Despite sharp divisions in the Security Council on the United States-led military action to disarm Baghdad, the United Nations will have a major role to provide humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the post-war Iraq.

This was clear from the statements in the Security Council on Tuesday and US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice's intention to visit the United Nations shortly to hold talks the with Secretary General Kofi Annan on the issue.

The United Nations has repeatedly said that it has prepared contingency plans to provide humanitarian aid and during the Council meeting, all members, including the United

States and Britain, asked Annan to present his proposals for providing assistance to the Iraqis.

Annan said he would adjust the oil-for-food programme under which Iraq is allowed to sell oil to buy food, medicines and other essential commodities under strict UN control.

US Ambassador John Negroponte told the Council that he would bring forward a resolution to ensure continuity of the programme and urged it to act swiftly to "minimize any interruption."

Confirming the Rice's plan to meet Annan, chief UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said no specific time has been fixed but the meeting would take place in next few days.