Iraqi polls still possible in Jan, says Annan

"It will be their call, not ours. I think at this point it is technically possible," Annan told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. "We still have a couple of months yet."

The United Nations is helping Iraq organise the elections but Annan has kept only a minimal number of staff in the country because of the uncertain security situation.

The ceiling on UN staff in Iraq is currently at 35 -- well below the 250 expected to help organise the polls.

In Baghdad, a spokesman for the country's independent electoral commission, which was set up with help from the United Nations, said his organisation was stretched to the limits and was working under very difficult conditions.

"We need far more UN experts," Farid Ayar told AFP.

"I cannot understand the situation of the United Nations in New York. We hope that we have more experts and monitors before the elections," he said.

Annan acknowledged there had "been some question as to whether we have enough UN staff on the ground or not."

He said more personnel would have to be sent later if the situation permits

"The circumstances have to be conducive, in the sense that either we have to notice a genuine improvement in the security environment or solid arrangements for the protection of staff," Annan said.

The United Nations confirmed on Wednesday that Fiji had committed to providing around 130 troops to protect UN staff but the world body still wants perimeter security around its offices and armed escorts when its staff travel.

Meanwhile, US-led forces in Iraq will protect UN officials charged with helping organise elections scheduled for January if sufficient troops cannot be found from other countries, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday.

"Fiji has made an offer, and there are one or two other countries that we are working with to see if they will make a contribution. And if we don't get enough through that means, then the coalition will have to deal with the security need of the United Nations," Powell told Abu Dhabi television in an interview.