US occupation 'to end by June'

The US-led occupation will end by June next year after the selection of a transitional government, the Iraqi Governing Council said today.

The announcement was made following talks between the council and the chief US administrator, Paul Bremer, who returned to Iraq on Thursday from Washington after talks with President George W Bush and senior national security advisers.

Council member Ahmad Chalabi, appearing at a news conference with other members, said the selection of a transitional government should be completed by May, ”internationally recognised” and with “full sovereignty.”

Council President Jalal Talabani, speaking in Arabic, said the transitional administration would be selected after consultations with “all parties” in Iraqi society.