LONDON, May 26 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The U.S. and its closest ally Britain seemed to be at odd over who will have the final saying on military operations in Iraq following the June 30 transfer of sovereignty to a provisional Iraqi government.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday, May 25, that the new Iraqi cabinet will have a veto over any military action by the U.S.-led forces.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell maintained that the troops will remain under American command and might take action without consultation with the interim government.

Highlighting the rare public disagreement, the Independent wrote that Blair and Powell "clash over Iraqi veto on allied forces".

While the Daily Mirror said the war duo "were for the first time in open disagreement over coalition policy on Iraq".

However, the Guardian had a different reading of the seeming disagreement, suggesting that Blair had just "jumped the gun" when he "unequivocally" promised the interim Iraqi government such a power.  

Blair told a press conference in Downing Street that the power transfer has to be "real and genuine," adding that the U.S.-led forces will "remain in Iraq with the consent of the Iraqi government," reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Let me make it 100% clear, after June 30 there will be the full transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi government."

Asked whether the Iraqi ministers would have a veto over military action such as a renewed assault on the restive town of Fallujah following June 30, Blair responded to the affirmative.

"If there is a political decision as to whether you go into a place like Fallujah in a particular way, that has to be done with the consent of the Iraqi government."

Specific operational issues would have to be decided on the ground between "coalition" commanders and the interim government, Blair added.

Late Tuesday, Iraqi Governing Council member Adnan Pachachi said he wanted the forthcoming U.N. resolution "clarified" to make clear that multinational troops are in Iraq at the invitation of Baghdad, and that any operations must be conducted in consultation with the interim government.

"We want to make it absolutely clear that the multinational force is in Iraq with the consent of the Iraqi government and that its operations and activities will be conducted in agreement and consultation with the Iraqi government," he told the BBC.

"It is our understanding that any operations would have to have the approval of the Iraqi government," said Pachachi, tipped as a possible new Iraqi leader.

On Monday, May 24, the U.S. and Britain presented a new draft resolution on Iraq to the U.N. Security Council which sets no date for the pullout of their troops from Iraq and gives them wide-ranging powers to maintain order and fight "terrorism".

Earlier Tuesday, Iraqi interim defense minister Ali Allawi hinted that once sovereignty was transferred, Baghdad was likely to want the foreign troops out of the country relatively soon.

"In terms of time for the presence of the international forces to help us establish security and stability, I think it will be a question of months rather than years," he told a joint press conference in London with British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon.

"The multinational force, in as much as its presence is needed to maintain security, will need ... to be replaced by indigenous forces, by Iraqi forces," Allawi said.

Under U.S. Command

However, Powell struck the discordant note, saying the U.S. would coordinate military action with the interim government but would not forfeit their right to "self-defense".

"Ultimately, however, if it comes down to United States Armed Forces protecting themselves or in some way accomplishing their mission in a way that might not be in total consonance with what the Iraqi interim government might want to do at a particular moment in time, U.S. forces remain under U.S. command and will do what is necessary to protect themselves," he said.

Political and military coordinating committees would be established to prevent any squabbles, Powell said at a State Department reception honoring the U.S. Institute of Peace, an international study center.

"We're confident that this will be manageable," Powell said.

Last month, Powell maintained that the interim Iraqi government would have to give away some of its powers to occupation forces.

U.S. President George W. Bush outlined Monday a five-step plan for power transfer to Iraqis, a scheme criticized by Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry as "little new".