UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhuanet) -- British Ambassador to the United Nations Emyr Parry on Tuesday hailed the unanimous adoptionby the UN Security Council of the new resolution on Iraq as a "defining moment."

    "It was a crucial phase in Iraq's transition to full democracy," Parry told the Security Council after it voted 15-0 to adopt a new resolution endorsing the caretaker government in Iraq.

    "As well as endorsing the formation of the interim government, it set a clear path for the future political process, which would end with elections on the basis of a constitution approved by the Iraqi people," he said in a speech explaining his "yes" vote.

    He said the new resolution gave the United Nations a leading role to assist the Iraqi people in their rebuilding process, and encouraged the international community to assist Iraq's reconstruction.

    "Also, on the basis of the Iraqi Government's request for the multinational force to remain in Iraq, the resolution authorized its continued presence," he continued.

    The Iraqi government would be able to require a review of the force or its termination, he said. "The resolution, including the annexed letters, also set out the full partnership between the Iraqi Government and the force."

    "The United Kingdom, as a member of the multinational force, stood ready to participate fully in those arrangements," he concluded.

    The 15-member council unanimously endorsed a new resolution on Iraq on Tuesday to end the US-led occupation of Iraq and hand overpower to a new Iraqi government on June 30.

    The resolution, among other things, gives Iraq control over thecountry's security forces and spells out that the US-led troops which will remain in the country after June 30 will stay only at the request of the Iraqi government. Enditem