"I think it will be a quick transition," Chalabi told AFP briefly as he met with tribal leaders at his base near the southern city of Nasiriyah.

The leader of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) has set up offices alongside around 700 members of the Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) who were taking part in a secret mission with US special forces Friday.

The Pentagon's show of support for the wealthy businessman, who was based in London before returning to his homeland last week, is thought to have created tensions with the State Department and other parts of the US administration.

Chalabi advisor Francis Brooke further stirred the controversy Friday by claiming the INC and the White House had entered a "partnership".

"We have had extended conversations with the Bush administration and consider ourselves partners with the White House," said Brooke.

Chalabi could be seen holding a series of meetings with tribal elders Friday, seated on US army fold-up beds, as part of his drive for a key role in the post-Saddam era.

Retired US general Jay Garner is due to take up the post of head of an interim administration for Iraq in the coming days, but Chalabi has called for elections to be held within two years after a new constitution is drawn up.

SPACE.WIRE