Brahimi says interim government in Iraq by June 30 "not easy"

The United Nations' special envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi said here on Saturday it will "not be easybut possible" to establish an interim government in Iraq by June 30.

After holding talks with French President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace, Brahimi told reporters he had briefed Chirac on the UN's role in the preparation of the power transfer to the Iraqis from the US-led coalition on June 30. He said he hoped it would be "feasible." After his talks with Chirac, Brahimi is scheduled to have a working lunch with French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier at the French Foreign Ministry. Brahimi is on a consultation tour to discuss his power transfer plan with European leaders before submitting it Tuesday to the UN Security Council. Earlier, Brahimi said the interim government could be formed by the scheduled time and the deadline should not be extended. "I think it is doable if we have, as I think and hope we will, the cooperation of everyone," Brahimi said on Friday in an interview with a US television channel.

Source: Xinhua