"The United Nations should play a predominant role in the reconstruction of Iraq," Lagos told delegates from 116 countries attending the gathering.

"The Iraqi people must determine their political future, and the use and control of their natural resources," he said.

Chilean senator and IPU President Sergio Paez echoed Lagos's call, adding that the war in Iraq represented a defeat for the doctrine and practice of multilateralism.

The crisis was evidence of the need for a political authority capable of enforcing international law and guaranteeing peace. That meant strengthening the United Nations, Paez said.

Although neither Iraq nor the United States were among the nations represented at the conference, the situation in the Gulf was expected to dominate discussions at the week-long event.

The president of the Iraqi parliament, Sa'doon Hammadi, and another 10 legislators were unable to leave Iraq to attend.

The Geneva-based IPU promotes parliamentary democracy in the world and shares experiences of its member countries.

US delegates have not participated in the IPU's annual conferences for the past nine years.

Founded in 1889 in Geneva, the IPU defines itself as the international organization of parliaments of sovereign states. Its membership is made up of 144 national parliaments and five regional assemblies.

SPACE.WIRE