US Secretary of State Colin Powell has called NATO to consider a more prominent role in the post-war stabilisation of Iraq.
"The United States welcomes a greater NATO role in Iraq's stabilisation," Mr Powell said in a text prepared for delivery to foreign ministers of the 19-nation alliance.
"As we prepare for the Istanbul summit [of NATO next June], we urge the alliance to examine how it might do more to support peace and stability in Iraq, which every leader has acknowledged is critical to all of us," the text, obtained by Reuters, said.
At the moment, NATO provides low-level and indirect support