Meanwhile, China said it will send observers to join the U.N. monitoring mission, the state-run China Daily newspaper reported, citing a foreign ministry spokesman.

CNN: U.N. Security Council to vote on Syria observer mission

The U.S. is set to join the five permanent members of the U.N.

WSJ: Korean Blast Fans Nuclear Concerns

Obama reaffirmed the U.S. alliance with South Korea and said North Korea, which is under U.N. sanctions for its efforts to start a nuclear program, could join the community of nations by dropping all nuclear ambitions.

CNN: Path of peace available to North Korea, Obama says

"We hope there will be good results from these talks, " said Pachachi, who will lead a delegation to join Secretary-General Kofi Annan in meetings Monday with Coalition Provisional Authority representatives and the U.N.

CNN: Iraq leader: Direct vote could delay handover

Unless the other candidates promptly join him, they will share responsibility for, and have to live with, the consequences of a U.N. on steroids.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Happy birthday, UN