UN unveils plans to step up Iraq efforts

? Five years after bombings forced the United Nations to pull out of Iraq, the world body is back. It announced plans Wednesday to help Iraq rebuild and create jobs following complaints the government has been unable or unwilling to spend its oil riches.

An agreement signed by the U.N. and the Iraqi government outlined a series of steps to help the Iraqis improve spending. The U.N. will also aid in the funding of reconstruction, development and humanitarian projects.

With a budget of $2.2 billion through 2010, the U.N. hopes to train Iraqi bureaucrats and create incentives to develop the country’s private sector. One of the main goals is to create jobs in a country where widespread unemployment could undermine recent security gains if young men lose hope in their futures and turn to extremism.