May 25 (Bloomberg) -- Russia will only discuss a United Nations resolution on Iraq proposed by the U.S. and Britain after the Iraqis form a new government, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

The resolution should be discussed after the UN Security Council is briefed on results of the mission of UN envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi, the ministry said in a statement on its Web site.

``The new resolution should give an answer to real concerns of the Iraqi society,'' the ministry said. ``Most importantly, the government has to be trusted by the Iraqi people, the sovereignty should be really transferred to it and the national control over natural resources and armed forces should be secured.''

Britain and the U.S. are seeking a UN resolution endorsing plans to hand power to Iraqis and allow Western forces to remain in the region until its security is assured.

U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush are counting on UN backing for their work in Iraq to ensure troops eventually can leave the region. Both the leaders' popularity has slipped in recent weeks after evidence emerged that U.S. forces abused Iraqi troops in their custody.

-- Editor: B. O'Connell

To contact the reporter on this story: Vladimir Todres in Moscow at vtodres@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: May 25, 2004 09:57 EDT