The head of the American administration in Iraq, Paul Bremer, has promised to speed up the handover of power to Iraqis.
Speaking in Baghdad, Mr Bremer said it was essential that the Iraqi people play a role their defence and governance.
Mr Bremer's statement followed a week of heightened attacks on US targets, and those seen to be assisting the occupation.
Two US soldiers were killed today in an explosion outside a police station in the northern city of Mosul.
The top military leader in Iraq, General Ricardo Sanchez, said the surge in attacks was strategically and operationally insignificant.
