US President George W. Bush on Monday called German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and discussed with him about the draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council by the United States and Britain, White House spokeswoman Pamela Stevens said.

"They spoke about working together and how important it is to work together to achieve a strong resolution in support of a new Iraqi government for the Iraqi people," Stevens said, adding that the telephone call lasted for about 15 minutes.

Schroeder has said that the draft resolution "is a good basis" but stressed that it could be improved.

The draft resolution, presented to the UN Security Council members on Monday, would back the formation of a sovereign interim Iraqi government but allow a US-led multinational force to take "all necessary measures" in Iraq.

The UN Security Council members, including Germany, have since pressed the United States to give Iraqis more authority over their political and military future after the US-led occupation ends on June 30.