US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Monday the still undefined interim government due to take power in Iraq on June 30 would have to give back some sovereignty to US-led forces.
Powell signalled in an interview US-led forces would need a free hand to deal with a security situation that has resulted in this month becoming the bloodiest month for American troops since former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was toppled a year ago.
"I hope [Iraqis] will understand that in order for this government to get up and running -- to be effective -- some of its sovereignty will have to be given back, if I can put it that way, or limited by them," Powell said.
"It is with the understanding that they need our help and for us to provide that help we have to be able to operate freely, which in some ways infringes on what some would call full sovereignty," he said.
With the handover of power to Iraqis looming and Washington seeking UN help in shaping the transitional government, US-led forces are racing to end challenges to their military control from Sunni and Shiite guerrillas.
Powell said Washington would allow a little time to see if joint US-Iraqi patrols could work in cementing a truce in Falluja before deciding whether to take military action against guerrillas in the city.
"What we are looking at tomorrow is the beginning of joint patrols and to see if those joint patrols result in people coming forward with information or the turning over of arms," he said.
"If that doesn't work -- and [we] have to give it a little bit of time to work -- if that doesn't work, then we will review the bidding again with our [military] commanders," he said.
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