The UNHCR "is seeking permission from the Jordanian government to move the people perched on the Al Karama border to the camps at Ruweished on a temporary basis, but has so far not received a response," the agency said in a statement.

"The no-man's land at Al Karama lacks appropriate conditions to shelter people on a long-term basis, though tents have been erected by the UNHCR and the (Jordanian) Red Crescent," UNHCR spokesman Peter Kessler said in the statement.

He said among those stuck in "difficult, windswept conditions" were seven Iraqi refugees, "including one man who has been at the site for more than a week waiting to enter Jordan".

"Also waiting for admission to Jordan is an Iraqi man and his two children who have been in the desolate no-man's land since April 7, after fleeing Iraq when his wife and one son were killed during the bombing campaign," Kessler said.

Four Palestinians and more than 70 Iranians who are "recognised refugees with documents from France, Germany, Canada and the United States" were also among those stuck at Al Karama border post, Kessler added.

Jordan has stringent guidelines restricting the entry of Iraqis into its territory, and the UNHCR said only six Iraqi refugees have been admitted to the Ruweished camp since the war on Iraq began on March 20.

Four Palestinians were also among those stuck at the border post

In a related development, UN agencies have received permission from the Iranian refugee agency (BAFIA) to cross into the eastern Iraqi border town of Badrah to visit 30,000 Iraqis who have sought refuge there from the war.

The UNHCR said the visit will take place on Monday when a UN refugee security adviser and staff from other relief agencies drive to Badrah, 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the Iranian border.

They will initially evaluate the area's stability ahead of sending relief teams to determine the kind of assistance displaced Iraqis need, the agency said, adding that 80 percent of those 30,000 Iraqis are Kurds.

A team from Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) visited Badrah on Saturday with Iranian officials and were told by the refugees they needed food and water.

SPACE.WIRE