Chalabi came to the Iraqi capital from the southern city of Nasiriyah, said the aide, asking not to be named.

Earlier, Nabil al-Mussawi, Chalabi's deputy in the INC, told AFP in Dubai Chalabi was heading to Baghdad from Nasiriyah to "help restore order and security" in the capital.

The formerly London-based Chalabi, who enjoys the backing of the Pentagon and strong ties in the US Congress, had been in Nasiriyah for around 10 days. He had previously spent nearly two months in Kurdish-held northern Iraq ahead of the US-British invasion that toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Mussawi, speaking by telephone from the northern city of Mosul, said Chalabi, who is accompanied by aides, has family homes in his native Baghdad, but would not go into details about where he will be staying.

"Baghdad is home for him, and even if he goes somewhere else (in Iraq), he'll return to Baghdad," Mussawi said.

He disputed the suggestion that Chalabi's arrival in the capital would fuel speculation that the INC chief was gearing up for a top leadership role in post-Saddam Iraq.

"Not necessarily," said Mussawi. "So far, he has not expressed the wish to play any role in the future. We hope we will dissuade him (and convince him) to change his mind."

Chalabi sent representatives to Tuesday's US-sponsored opposition meeting just outside Nasiriyah which ended with agreeement to reconvene in 10 days.

"We are not going to wait for a conference or anything else before attempting to give some dignity to our people," Musawi said in a reference to the chaotic situation and breakdown of services in Baghdad.

SPACE.WIRE