"I am not a candidate for any position in the interim government," Chalabi told a news conference. "My role is to help rebuild Iraq."

Chalabi, the head of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) who enjoys support from the Pentagon, said Iraq would have a three-step transition from US occupation.

The first stage would be US-led forces getting essential services up and runnning, he said, while the second would involve the creation of an interim government of Iraqis which would draft a constitution.

The third phase would be democratic elections. "I expect this process to take not more than two years," added Chalabi, who said he had been involved in talks with the Americans and other Iraqi leaders.

SPACE.WIRE