Powell said he had told his NATO and EU counterparts that "the work of reconstruction and rebuilding will require the entire international community to join together."

"There will definitely be a UN role," he said, but added: "The exact role of the United Nations remains to be seen."

The question of UN involvement in post-war Iraq is fueling continuing transatlantic tension.

The EU wants the UN to take a "central" role, while the US administration appears divided on the issue, with hawks saying the United States should remain for a while in charge in Iraq.

"Notwithstanding the... serious disagreements, the heated disagreements we have had... we must now move forward and align ourselves again with the need to serve the Iraqi people," said Powell.

He added that the war against Iraq is "going well," but added: "We all hope that it will come to an end soon."

SPACE.WIRE