BAGHDAD, June 11 (IslamOnline.net) - Iraqi Muslim Scholars Association criticized the latest U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq. deeming it "disappointing", as the Islamic party believed it included "justifiable" negative aspects "in breach of the Iraqi sovereignty".

The international Security Council unanimously adopted Tuesday July 8, the U.S.-British resolution 1546 that brings to an end the occupation of Iraq on June 30 and authorizes a Washington-led international peace-keeping force.

The resolution also provides for the right of the new Iraqi leaders to demand the departure of the foreign troops at any time and sets a date for the Iraqi elections, no later than January 31, 2005.

In a statement, a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net Thursday June 10, the Muslim Scholars Association, the largest Sunni organization in Iraq, criticized the Security Council for legitimizing the transitional government.

The Association declared that the resolution implies "risks" that could undermine the expectations of a "genuine Iraqi sovereignty."

The statement explained that the reasons behind the risks as such; the resolution "does not stipulate a clear-cut deadline for the end of occupation. It provides for the right of the current government to demand the stay of the multinational forces; a matter which raises suspicions."

The Association pointed out to the possibility that "the occupation troops make use of the so-called legitimacy of the transitional government in order to conclude security agreements that could absorb the capabilities of the Iraqi people and extend its occupation."

In its statement No. 42, the Association has called upon the Arab and Islamic states "not to respond to the demands of the occupation authorities in the field of sending troops to Iraq, as the Iraqi people think that such troops will contribute to extending the duration of occupation."

Meanwhile, the assistant secretary general of the Iraqi Islamic Party Iyad Al-Samra’i found the UNSC resolution on Iraq teeming with "negative aspects in breach of Iraqi sovereignty, but we mention some justifications."

"We quite well understand such negative aspects. Several matters are usually taken relatively," Al-Samra'i told IslamOnline.net Thursday.

He believed that a positive aspect of the resolution is its indication to forming a U.N. mission to provide assistance to Iraq, which means that "the U.N. will play a pivotal role inside Iraq."

"The resolution has summed up such role in a number of obligations, including the U.N. responsibility to hold a national conference to select a consultative council and provide assistance to the interim government and electoral commission."

"The stay of the multinational troops in Iraq contradicts with the aspirations of the Iraqi people. Yet, the positive aspect, in turn, is that the resolution links the presence of the multinational troops in Iraq to the completion of the political process up to the formation of an elected government," Al-Samra'i added.

He found that linking the Iraqi revenues to the Reconstruction Fund, subject to an international supervision, is in itself a breach of Iraqi sovereignty as the Iraqi government is the only party that has the right to issue cashing orders.

Among the negative aspects highlighted by the Islamic Party is that the resolution does not commit creditor states to annul their debts but only welcomes and encourages them to cut down debts.

On the reservation made by the Kurds on rejecting the temporary state administration law in Iraq, Al-Samra'i said, "Though the resolution is not favored by the Kurdish parties, the law is passed by a non-elected authority that lacks legitimacy."

"I think the Kurdish brothers should withdraw their reservations in this regard and should not always deal with suspicion of intent," he resumed.

The U.N. Security Council resolution does not approve the temporary constitution of Iraq that grants Kurds self-autonomy in three provinces to the north of Iraq.