The United Nations Security Council appears poised to approve a U.S. resolution that would preserve Washington’s power over occupied Iraq and give greater legitimacy to the U.S. appointed Iraqi Governing Council.

The resolution also drops their demand that a schedule is set up to determine when the U.S. would hand over power in Iraq.

Secretary General Kofi Annan said the resolution only solidifies Washington’s power and may not help make the country become safer. He said, ” as long as there is occupation, the resistance will grow.”

• Phyllis Bennis, fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington DC, specializing in Middle East and United Nations issues. She is the author of the book Before and After: U.S. Foreign Policy and the September 11th Crisis.