Mussa told reporters in the headquarters of the 22-member league here that he had received an invitation from Aguilar Zinser, the Mexican ambassador who holds the UN Security Council rotating presidency.

He said he would discuss with Zinser and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan "issues related to regional peace and security and ways to improve cooperation between the United Nations and regional organisations."

Mussa's trip will come as diplomatic wrangling is under way on the UN role in post-war Iraq. The European Union and Russia are seeking a greater role for the United Nations than the United States is ready to allow.

The Arab League is opposed to the US-led invasion of Iraq and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.

SPACE.WIRE