Speaking after meeting his NATO counterparts in Brussels, Powell said no state had refused to consider the proposal, originally made by Washington in December.

"What I am pleased about today is that all of my NATO colleagues saw that as a possibility and were willing to consider it," he told reporters.

US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz proposed the idea of a post-war NATO role during a visit to Brussels in December, but it was shelved notably due to reservations by anti-war countries.

Powell, while specifying that he had not reiterated the US request during Thursday's talks, said the US proposal foresaw a NATO role including "peacekeeping, things of that nature."

"I am pleased that there was at least a receptive attitude... that NATO as a group is willing to consider a NATO military role if one is appropriate."

But he said: "That's a judgement that will have to be made at some time in the future," adding: "The important thing is that nobody raised any objection to that possibility."

He was speaking after talks with his fellow foreign ministers meeting in NATO's decision-making North Atlantic Council (NAC).

Earlier a diplomat said that Powell would "indicate that (the US is) willing for NATO to play a role, but they are very careful to appear demanding," said the source.

"A significant number of countries are willing to see a NATO role, but it a significant number of countries are also worried about that."

The Americans "don't want to rebuffed," said the diplomat after a meeting between Powell and NATO chief George Robertson.

Meanwhile Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio said NATO ambassadors could meet next week to "consider" the possibility of the alliance playing a role in Iraq.

SPACE.WIRE