"When we say vital role for the UN, we mean vital role for the UN in all aspects of the issue, whether it be humanitarian aid or whether it be helping to stand up an interim authority," Bush told journalists at Hillsborough Castle, south of Belfast.

"They will be involved, along with the coalition, in helping to stand up an interim authority but the Iraqi people are responsible for who is on that authority," he said.

"I believe a vital role is an agent to help people live freely. That's a vital role," Bush added.

"That means food. That means medicine. That means aid. That means a place where people can give their contributions. That means suggesting people for the IIA (Iraqi Interim Adminstration)," Bush said.

His comments aimed to reassure the world leaders who have expressed concern that Washington may only allow a limited UN role in post-war Iraq.

In March Washington failed to gather the majority of the UN Security Council to back a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq and launched a war without UN approval.

"I want to thank (UN Secretary General) Kofi Annan for naming a personal representative to the process yesterday (Monday). It is a positive step," Bush added.

"We have said all along there needs to be a role for the United Nations. We said so in the Azores (US-British-Spanish summit on March 16). We'll keep repeating it," he said.

SPACE.WIRE