IN A surprise move, France last night proposed immediately suspending UN sanctions that target Iraqi civilians.
It was an important step towards the Anglo-American goal of ending trade embargoes that have crippled the country's economy.
Last week, President George Bush called for sanctions to be lifted quickly, so Iraq's oil revenue could be used to finance reconstruction.
Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, France's UN ambassador, proposed an immediate suspension of sanctions and the phasing out the UN oil-for-food programme.
He made the proposal at a Security Council meeting where members heard a briefing by chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix and for the first time exchanged views on potentially divisive post-war issues.
"I have proposed that the decision should be taken to immediately suspend the civilian sanctions," de la Sabliere said.
The Security Council imposed sanctions after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
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