Powell's talks with European Union and NATO foreign ministers will be his first since the Iraq crisis spiralled into war, throwing Europe into disarray and straining transatlantic ties to breaking point.

"I will talk to my colleagues in NATO and EU about the campaign and plans of reconstruction, plans of creating an interim authority," he said in Belgrade before flying to Brussels for a day of meetings Thursday.

"I want to hear ideas from them about reconstruction and contributions the EU will be able to make," he said.

Diplomats have warned his task will be delicate as anti-war countries focus on demands for a central role for the United Nations after the conflict.

Among others, Powell will hold one-on-one talks with France's Dominique de Villepin and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, whose countries have led opposition to the war.

Germany's Joschka Fischer and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, diametrically opposed on the war, will also be among ministers lunching with Powell in Brussels.

Powell will also have a joint meeting with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, the EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou whose country currently chairs the European Union.

The European Union, while deeply split between the French-led anti-war camp and the pro-US group led by Britain, is mostly agreed on the need for a "central" role for the United Nations.

SPACE.WIRE