Who's who in Iraq: Ghazi Yawer

Despite his criticisms, Yawer also has close ties to the US

Iraq's new interim President, Ghazi Yawer, is a businessman and tribal leader.

The 45-year-old US-educated moderate Sunni and a former exile has strong ties to Washington, although he has been sharply critical of the coalition.

He has said the US-drafted resolution gives Iraqis too little control over the coalition troops that will stay.

Only "full and complete sovereignty would be acceptable", he has said.

The IGC is due to be shortly disbanded as the new Iraqi interim government takes office and prepares to take over the running of the country on 30 June - the deadline set by the US-led coalition for the transfer of power.

Tribal leader

Mr Yawer was the candidate most favoured by the IGC.

Mr Yawer's appointment was only confirmed by UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi after his main rival - the US-backed former Foreign Minister, Adnan Pachachi - turned down the post reportedly due to the lack of support by IGC members.

The move finally ended several days of wrangling and horse-trading between the IGC, top coalition officials and Mr Brahimi.

A prominent tribal leader from the northern city of Mosul who generally appears in tradition Arab dress, Mr Yawer has also wide support from various ethnic and religious groups.

He studied engineering at Georgetown University in Washington, and for many years ran a telecoms company in Saudi Arabia.

In an earlier interview with the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat, he said he would only accept the post of president if it came with real powers.

He also said is was "totally unacceptable" for the US to remain in Saddam Hussein's former Republican Palace presidential compound and convert it to their embassy, as some reports have suggested.

"This is like someone who pokes his finger in another's eye," he said.