The United States on Monday asked for U.N. endorsement of a hand-over of power to an interim Iraqi government but proposed U.S. forces there be allowed to "take all measures" to keep order and set no date for them to leave.

The U.S.-British resolution, distributed to the 15-nation U.N. Security Council, would back the formation of a "sovereign interim government" that would take office by June 30. It says that government would "assume the responsibility and authority for governing a sovereign Iraq."

The draft emerged several hours before U.S. President Bush's televised speech on Monday mapping out his plans for Iraq, where attacks on occupying forces have thrown into doubt prospects for a peaceful transfer to democratic rule.

As part of the transition process, U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, now in Baghdad, is due to name a president, a prime minister, two vice presidents and 26 ministers soon. They would stay in office until elections for a national assembly, expected to be held by January 2005.

No vote is expected until Brahimi reports to the council. But most council members expect the measure to be adopted, perhaps with some amendments. "No one is in a position to vote against," said one envoy.

The definition of sovereignty, particularly on the role of foreign troops, is a contentious issue, with the Bush administration attempting to assure U.N. members they would not be asked to approve an occupation under another name.

Source: CD/Agencies