The US Deputy Defence Secretary has said it will take more than six months for an Iraqi govt to be created after Saddam's regime has been defeated.
Mr Wolfowitz said a first step would be to set up an administration run by the US-led coalition, which would eventually hand over to Iraqis.
However, he indicated this was likely to be a long and complicated process
But the State Department wants a bigger role for other countries and the United Nations.
It also wants to examine the possibility of incorporating some of the remnants of Saddam's régime into the new government, an idea the Pentagon is said to oppose.
President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell are due to discuss all this with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair when they meet at Hillsborough tomorrow evening.
Mr Blair is also pushing for a greater role for the international community in rebuilding Iraq.
