"In the short run and for the moment, the council will focus on humanitarian aid," declared the envoy, who assumed the rotating post of council president on Tuesday.

"There are still differences in opinion in the council. The war continues and it remains unclear when and how it will end," Zinser said.

However, he pointed out that there was a school of thought favoring giving the United Nations "a very significant role" in Iraq.

"It will have a substantial rather than secondary role," the ambassador said.

Closed-door consultations on Iraq will take place "at least once a week," he told reporters.

The first round will take place Thursday and will be devoted to analysis of the situation of a UN observer mission for Iraq and Kuwait withdrawn from the region on the eve of the war.

Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette must also present to the council Thursday an evaluation of the humanitarian situation in the region.

Oil-for-food program director Benon Sevan will present a progress report about the program, according to Zinser.

The program, which receives 25 percent of revenue from Iraqi oil sales, was designed to compensate Kuwait for the damaged cause by the Iraqi 1990 invasion.

Resolution 1472 unanimously adopted last Friday allows for the use of these funds in exceptional circumstances to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.

SPACE.WIRE