"The resolution outlines generally acceptable parameters for a solution in Iraq," Mr. Lavrov said. "The solution will be a qualitatively new stage in the restoration of the country's sovereignty. The main thing today is that these correct provisions are implemented efficiently.
"Much will depend on the Iraqi government, the multinational forces and the United Nations.
"It is very important that all of the provisions in the resolution be carried out by the foreign participants in the new stage of the solution.
"First, this concerns the multinational forces which, as the UN Security Council resolution stresses, should not only be guided by the Iraqi government's wishes but completely respect international human rights."
The minister noted that the final version of the resolution fully reflects Russia's position. "We have joined the consensus and will make sure that the provisions, approved by the UN Security Council, are completely fulfilled," the foreign minister said.
"Since work began on the resolution about two months ago, two principles guided Russia," he said.
"First, Iraq's new government must be legitimate in the eyes of the Iraqis and the international community. Second, all of the international community's activities in Iraq after sovereignty is restored should be at the sovereign legitimate government's expressed wishes because [the interim government] will have to organize elections and form constitutional bodies in Iraq."
According to him, these two principles were reflected in the resolution.
"The unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution, which has ended the occupation of Iraq and opened a qualitatively new stage in the Iraqi solution, a stage of restoring sovereignty, is one of the most important events in the history of the world," he said.
Russia still supports holding an international conference on Iraq, Mr. Lavrov said.
"We are still convinced that such a forum, held at an appropriate stage, will be important for reaching the goal set by Russian President Vladimir Putin - to make the Iraqis fully responsible for their own fate again as soon as possible," Mr. Lavrov said. The new resolution mentions the possibility of holding an international conference.
"This is a Russian initiative that was approved in the context of further consolidating all sound political forces in Iraq and ensuring that Iraq's neighbors support the process of restoring sovereignty," the Russian minister said.
According to the information and press department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, during a telephone conversation, Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the adoption of the resolution. Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Powell "exchanged views concerning the UN Security Council discussing and adopting the resolution on Iraq and on the implementation and prospects of further resolving the situation in the country."
