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US 'to take 7,000 Iraq refugees' UN welcomes US Iraq refugee plan
(about 10 hours later)
The US is to take in another 7,000 Iraqi refugees over the next year amid rising international concern over those fleeing the insurgency, officials said. The United Nations has welcomed US plans to grant up to 7,000 Iraqi refugees asylum over the next year.
The number represents a huge increase on the 463 refugees the US has taken in since the four-year-old war began. Antonio Guterres, who heads the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), described the policy plans as "a very good step in the right direction".
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been outlining the plan in talks with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The number represents a huge increase on the 463 refugees the US has taken in since the war began four years ago.
Meanwhile, the US will also offer $18m (£9.2m) to the UNHCR to help millions of other Iraqi refugees.
The US move has been prompted by criticism over the number it has taken in so far.
Mr Guterres said: "The dimension of the problem is so huge that nothing is anytime (ever) enough but I think it is a very good start, a very good step in the right direction."
The UN estimates that up to 50,000 Iraqis flee each month and that 3.8m have left since the war started.The UN estimates that up to 50,000 Iraqis flee each month and that 3.8m have left since the war started.
US officials will interview the refugees during the current US fiscal year which ends on 30 September. It is not known when those approved would actually arrive in the country.
UN appealUN appeal
Most of the refugees have headed for Syria and Jordan. But both countries have tried to cut the influx, narrowing options for those fleeing.Most of the refugees have headed for Syria and Jordan. But both countries have tried to cut the influx, narrowing options for those fleeing.
The new US plan was revealed by state department officials ahead of a formal announcement on Wednesday.
The 7,000 refugees would move to the US from countries they have already reached.The 7,000 refugees would move to the US from countries they have already reached.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the figures was a "target" not a ceiling.State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the figures was a "target" not a ceiling.
The plan, outlined by Ms Rice to UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres, would also afford special treatment to those in Iraq who were at risk of sectarian attack through providing the US with information. The plan would also afford special treatment to those in Iraq who were at risk of sectarian attack through providing the US with information.
The UN has called for $60m (£30.5m) from nations for a global resettlement programme. The US is expected to pledge $18m. Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey said the increase in the US refugee quota reflected a change in the situation on the ground, following the attack on a Shia mosque in Samarra a year ago.
"It really was not until after the Samarra bombing ... that the sectarian violence began to reach a level that there was significant outward movement," she said.
The UN has called for $60m (£30.5m) from nations for a global resettlement programme.