U.N. ordered more staff out of Iraq on Thursday

U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said it was not a total "evacuation" but did not say how many would stay. Thousands of Iraqi staff will continue working.

"The security situation in the country remains under constant review," Eckhard said.

"Today, there remain 42 in Baghdad and 44 in the north of the country, and those numbers can be expected to shrink over the next few days."

There were around 650 international personnel in Iraq before an August 19 suicide attack killed 22 people, including Annan’s top envoy to Baghdad. A second bombing Monday, September 22, killed an Iraqi security guard.

The White House said it wanted the world body to "continue to play a vital role" in Iraq.