Iraq Wants U.N. Security Council Mandate

British soldiers patrol with a vehicle carrying banner calling on Iraqis to make money by providing security forces with information on individuals who fire mortars and rockets, in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Nabil Al Jurani) (Nabil Al Jurani - AP)

UNITED NATIONS -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has asked the U.N. Security Council to extend the mandate of the 160,000-strong multinational force in Iraq, according to a letter circulated Monday.

In the letter, al-Maliki said a top priority of his government is to assume full responsibility for security and stability but it needs more time.

The United States circulated a draft resolution that would extend the mandate for one year starting on Dec. 31, with a review at the request of the Iraqi government or by June 15.

The draft, obtained Monday by the Associated Press, contains the same provision as past resolutions _ a commitment that the council "will terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the government of Iraq."

Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. Mission, said since the Iraqis requested the extension "we don't expect there to be any problems with it."

Al-Maliki's request for the one-year extension with a termination clause came as the U.S. administration stepped up diplomatic efforts to stabilize the country, certain to be a top item on the agenda when President Bush meets al-Maliki later this week in Amman, Jordan.

Sectarian violence in Iraq is at its worst level in the 3 1/2 years since a U.S.-led coalition invaded the country and toppled Saddam Hussein.

Bush's summit comes as members of the Iraq Study Group mull recommendations for changes in U.S. war policy that would help restore peace and security and enable the United States to reduce its contingent of 141,000 troops.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned Monday that Iraq is close to civil war.

"I think given the developments on the ground, unless something is done drastically and urgently to arrest the deteriorating situation, we could be there," Annan said. "In fact we are almost there."

Annan held a teleconference with members of the study panel Monday afternoon. Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown and top U.N. envoy Ashraf Qazi have also spoken to the group, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Al-Maliki gave no timetable for a takeover of military and security operations. But he said the government is committed to increasing the number of governorates fully under the control of Iraqi authorities until all 18 are under their control. This year, Iraqi forces took responsibility for security in the governorates of Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar.