Senior British government officials have denied that there is a growing split with the United States over policy in Iraq.
The spokesman for the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said a draft United Nations resolution emphasised consent and co-ordination while the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, described the speculation as rubbish.
Yesterday, Mr Blair indicated that the interim government would have final political control over foreign troops.
However, last night the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, said that US troops would remain under US command and would defend themselves, even if the Iraqi authorities objected.
However, Mr Powell said he was sure differences could be ironed out.
The US says the new government, which is being assembled by the United Nations envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, will have full sovereignty after 30 June.
