US President George W. Bush said Wednesday he anticipated the selection of the interim Iraqi government leaders in the next couple of weeks.

"I anticipate in the next couple of weeks, decisions will be made toward who will be the president and the vice presidents, as well as the prime minister and other ministers," Bush said after acabinet meeting.

Bush said he also briefed the cabinet about plans by UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi concerning the shape of the interim Iraqi government, which is due to take over power from the US-led occupation authorities on June 30.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Colin Powell is consulting with UN Security Council members on a resolution that "will embrace the new interim government and the need to provide security so that free elections will happen as promised to the Iraqi people," Bush said.

Despite the violence in Iraq, Bush said progress was being madein the Middle East country.

"A lot of progress has been made already. Eleven ministries arenow run by Iraqi citizens -- I might add, capably run by Iraqi citizens," Bush said.

However, Bush acknowledged that the United Stated got "hard work" to do in Iraq.

The United States was dealt a fresh blow on Monday when Iraqi Governing Council Chairman Izzadine Salim was killed near the US-led coalition headquarters. The accident has increased fears that an interim Iraqi government will not be able to function normally in the face of the instability.

Source: Xinhua