Annan is expected to meet Schroeder at the chancellery in the morning.

Like most of the rest of Europe, including the United States' closest ally Britain, Germany wants the United Nations to supervise Iraq's reconstruction after the US-led war comes to an end.

But Washington has appointed General Jay Garner, a former US ambassador to Yemen, as the interim civil administrator of the Baghdad region under its own plan.

It says countries who took part part in the military campaign should have the lead role in running Iraq after, as expected, President Saddam Hussein's regime collapses.

SPACE.WIRE