In January, a high-level Iraqi delegation is expected at UN headquarters in New York for talks with Secretary-General Kofi Annan on how to break the deadlock.
BBC: Analysis: Saddam's route out of sanctions
2.
The chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the decision represented a rejection of a proposal by the Quartet of Mid East negotiators - the US, the EU, Russia and the UN - for new talks between the Palestinians and Israelis, expected to be made officially on Friday.
BBC: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
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The meeting will also look at how to fund, equip and train an 8, 000-strong African force, which has UN and US backing, expected to eventually take over from the 3, 500 French troops currently in Mali.