The United States and Britain revised the draft UN resolution on Iraq on Tuesday in a bid to gain support from China, Germany, France and other Security Council members for the Iraqi power transfer.

The new draft, obtained by Xinhua, stipulates that the US-led multinational force would leave Iraq "upon the completion of the political process" in late 2005 or probably in early 2006.

The new version also states that the mandate of the multinational force could be terminated earlier if requested by Iraq's transitional government to be elected by January 31, 2005, which will govern Iraq before a permanent constitution is written.

Like the old text, the new one says the mandate of the force, composed mainly of US troops, shall be reviewed 12 months later by the Security Council, or earlier at the request of the interim Iraqi government to be established by June 30.

On the issue of Iraq's army, the new text said the incoming interim government would have authority over the operation of the country's security forces.

But the new resolution remains silent on whether the Iraqi government has a veto over the operation of the multinational force.

Before heading into the session, British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry told reporters that the Iraqi government would have ultimate authority over the operation of the Iraqi forces within or outside the multinational force.

He said the multinational force would establish a consultation mechanism with the Iraqis over its actions.

The 15-nation Security Council started discussing the new draft behind closed doors at 21:00 GMT. It is still unknown whether the new draft could quell opposition at the council.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2004)