Iraqi UN ambassador says 'game is over'

10.00am

NEW YORK - Iraq's UN ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, says "the game is over" and he hopes the Iraqi people soon will be able to live in peace.

Speaking to reporters today in front of his residence as well as Iraq's mission to the United Nations, Aldouri said: "The work now is peace. We hope that peace will prevail."

"The game is over," Aldouri said, his first admission that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein no longer controls Baghdad.

The ambassador, in answer to questions, said he had had no communication with Baghdad for some days.

Aldouri this week had been going about his duties at the United Nations, including attending meetings of Arab ambassadors. He did not tell any of his colleagues what his plans were or whether he would stay in New York.

The current Iraqi government holds the UN seat until another government hands in its credentials, something not expected to happen for many months. But it is unknown whether the handful of Iraqi diplomats in New York would stay on.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq war