"Many institutions are really deeply concerned and very interested to have this access," the talks' Swiss chairman Toni Frisch told reporters afterwards.

"This must be clearly coordinated with the country itself, that means Iraq, that means of course the belligerent powers, and also with the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) being responsible and now the lead agency in Iraq," he added.

Switzerland hosted the half-day meeting at a Geneva conference centre which follows a similar international humanitarian meeting on Iraq in mid-February.

Unlike the previous meeting, the United States took part on Wednesday, along with about 29 other countries and 20 institutions. Iraq has not been invited to either meeting, but is informed of the results.

Frisch, the head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation's humanitarian aid department, said they had already held discussions with two of Iraq's neighbours on the question of access, and that the talks would continue.

"The issue of access is certainly the key point," Frisch said.

"There is a great willingness and readiness also in the neighbouring countries to assist, but there, for the moment, are certain limits which must be respected due to security situations," he added.

He gave no further details on the issue, saying further talks were necessary, and stressed that Wednesday's discussions had focused on operational matters and were not designed as a pledging conference.

SPACE.WIRE