Straw told reporters that the United Nations will play a vital role in restoring stability to Iraq but that it "depends on the degree to which others in the Security Council, particularly the permanent five, show a similarly constructive approach." 

"It is a responsibility of all members ... not to play games but to recognize this new reality and to move forward," Straw said. 

The United States has invited its coalition partners to talks on rebuilding Iraq - but not countries that objected to the war, such as Germany, France and Russia. 

Straw, on a four-nation trip to Persian Gulf nations, made the comments as the United States and Britain shift from combat missions to humanitarian and reconstruction projects in Iraq. 

Later Tuesday, he arrived in Riyadh, where he will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to discuss "efforts exerted toward the reconstruction of Iraq and the Gulf countries' participation in them," a British diplomat in the Saudi capital said on condition of anonymity. Straw will also review the nature of the future government in Iraq. 

Crown Prince Abdullah, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, was quoted Monday as saying the lawlessness in Iraq posed the threat of a "humanitarian catastrophe." 

"Security and stability must be realized as soon as possible in Iraq, " he said. 

However, the top British member of the team charged with rebuilding Iraq said Tuesday that Iraq does not face a humanitarian crisis because of damaged infrastructure. 

Maj. Gen. Tim Cross, who is set to work under retired U.S. Gen. Jay Garner as part of a proposed interim administration, played down suggestions that water, electricity and medical shortages could have a disastrous impact on the Iraqi people. 

"On the humanitarian side, there is no crisis in the traditional sense of the word, compared to many previous crises around the world," Cross told British Broadcasting Corp. radio. "We do not have tens of thousands of starving people. We do not have lots of refugees. 

"That is good news, so let's celebrate that aspect." 

But David Wimhurst of the United Nations humanitarian office for Iraq said the people of Baghdad were in "disturbing straits." 

"There is certainly a crisis from the medical perspective," he told BBC radio. "There is also a crisis from a water and electricity perspective, and that poses a wide public health threat. 

"If the infrastructure cannot be rapidly repaired, the crisis could worsen."