Iraq, US to coordinate military operations

The exchange of letters between Iraq's new Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and US Secretary of State Colin Powell broadly outlines the relationship between Iraqi and US-led multinational forces after the occupation of Iraq ends.

The letters will be included as annexes to a US-British draft resolution under debate in the Security Council that will endorse the handover of sovereignty and authorise the multinational force to remain in Iraq to help provide security.

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Allawi told the UN Security Council that his government will retain sole control of the country's armed forces and work in "full partnership" with the multinational force to coordinate joint military operations and security policy through a variety of new bodies. Powell said US-led troops "will coordinate with Iraqi security forces at all levels."

Both Allawi and Powell stressed the importance of the US-led force in helping to fight those opposed to Iraq's political transition.

US Ambassador John Negroponte said after a council meeting late Sunday to discuss the letters that a revised draft the fourth in two weeks will be introduced late Monday morning. The council will meet Monday afternoon to hear a briefing by the UN envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, who helped assemble the interim government.

Negroponte said discussion of the draft will continue "with the idea of voting on it on Tuesday afternoon or Tuesday evening."

But France, Germany, Algeria and other council members said they want a significant addition to the text: a reference to the new government's relationship with the multinational force that would give the Iraqis a veto over "sensitive offensive operations."