¡¡UNITED NATIONS, March 10 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Thursday the key to a successful transition in Iraq is to be as inclusive, participatory and transparent as possible.

    In a report to the UN Security Council on Iraq, Annan said the elections held on Jan. 30 mark an important milestone in Iraq's transition.

    "Iraqis are looking to their elected leaders to deliver on the promise of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Iraq," he said, adding that the international community shares a common agenda to support the Iraqis people in this endeavor.

    Annan noted that now that elections have taken place, Iraqis expect tangible dividends, particularly in terms of security and living conditions.

    "The key to a successful transition is that it be as inclusive,participatory and transparent as possible," he said.

    "This means creating a sustainable political process that all Iraqis feel they have a stake in," he added, stressing that failure to engage in national dialogue and reconciliation could bring strife far more damaging than the compromises necessary for reaching a national consensus achieved through peaceful means.

    Annan said the next step in Iraq's transition is the constitution-making process, and the making of Iraq's new constitution can be instrumental for forging a new national consensus.

    "It will be important that the new Iraqi leadership signal clearly that all Iraqis will have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to participate fully in the process," he said.

    The United Nations will continue to assist the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq in making the necessary preparations for the national referendum on the constitution and the elections that are to follow so as to ensure that they fairly and accuratelyreflect the will of the Iraqi people.

    "The challenges ahead are real; but so, too, are opportunities," Annan concluded. "In fulfillment of our mandate, and circumstances permitting, the United Nations will spare no effort to meet the expectations of the Iraqi people through this criticalperiod of their history." Enditem