British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today he was optimistic a compromise UN Security Council resolution on the handover of power to a sovereign Iraqi government could be passed soon despite concerns from France and other countries.
France and other council members have said they want changes to a US-British draft resolution to give greater assurances the interim government would have authority to stop military operations by US-led forces.
Mr Blair, US President George W. Bush's closest ally on Iraq, said he believed any differences could be overcome.
"There are details and drafting to be done. I think that will be done. I am reasonably optimistic that it will be done in a pretty short space of time," Mr Blair said at a news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
"I think of course there will be some negotiations still to be completed," said Mr Blair.
"But actually I think the signs are pretty good because there is common agreement on the single fundamental principle, which is that sovereignty should be transferred after the 30th of June in a full and indivisible way," he said.
"That is our position, and I think it is the position of the whole entire international community."