KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's been called a very important step toward the formation of a true government in Iraq. The vote is in. We go to our Richard Roth at the U.N. to tell us about the governing council in Iraq. Richard, what happened?</s>RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Security Council just seconds ago approved a new resolution on Iraq. It still keeps the U.S. and U.K. in charge, because it doesn't challenge their authority, it doesn't turn over anything to them. But what it does do, is it welcomes this 25-person Iraqi governing council that was U.S.-appointed, and the U.S. certainly has a big sway in what happens there on political decisions. It also, in effect, authorizes this U.N. assistance mission for Iraq, some 3,000 people. The vote just happened. You're looking at France speaking inside the Security Council. Several countries, though, were very reluctant to go any further with this resolution. They don't want to appear as backing and supporting the war on Iraq. So that's why it's a very simple focused resolution, as U.S. ambassador Negroponte put it, welcoming political progress in Iraq. Still, many countries here at the U.N., Kyra, highly reluctant to participate sending soldiers unless there's an official U.N. seal of approval. The vote was 14 in favor, one abstention. Syria, which does not have a veto, the lone Arab country, it certainly was not going to appear to be supporting the war in Iraq. Back to you .</s>PHILLIPS: All right, I know you'll continue to monitor what's taking place there at the U.N. Richard Roth, thank you. We'll check in with you again. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
U.N. Endorses New Iraqi Governing Council