Iraqi PM hails coalition troops

Allawi was appointed by the Iraqi Governing Council last week

Iraq's new interim leader has praised the US-led coalition, saying it will guarantee security after the country regains its sovereignty on 30 June.

In his first televised address to the nation, Iyad Allawi also urged an end to attacks on coalition forces who, he said, were making sacrifices for Iraq.

Anti-coalition militants brought Iraqis "nothing but evil", he said.

The speech follows an announcement by Iraq's new government endorsing a UN draft on the transfer of power.

The resolution put forward by Britain and the US also provides for a US-led multinational force to stay in the country.

Coalition forces too have offered the blood of their sons as a result of terror attacks Iyad Allawi

"The targeting of the multinational forces... to force them to leave Iraq would inflict a major disaster on Iraq," Mr Allawi said in his speech.

Four US troops died on Friday in an ambush in the Shia district of Sadr City near Baghdad.

"I would like to mention here that the coalition forces too have offered the blood of their sons as a result of terror attacks designed to force them to leave Iraq," Mr Allawi added.

Control issue

Mr Allawi, a former exile leader with close ties to Washington, also said the new government would work toward national unity and said that former Saddam supporters could "live with dignity in society so long as they have not committed any crimes".

DRAFT RESOLUTION ON IRAQ Maps out the handover to a sovereign Iraqi government by 30 June Provides for a US-led multinational force, with authority to take all necessary measures for security, while setting a date for the end of its mandate Grants Iraq full control over its own natural resources while temporarily maintaining international control over its oil revenue fund Text: Draft resolution New hope, old obstacles

Earlier, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari called on the UN Security Council, which is discussing the draft resolution on Iraq, to grant Iraq full sovereignty by backing the resolution.

He added that the new Iraqi government should have a say in the future presence of US-led forces.

It is not clear if the Iraqis and Americans have reached agreement on the crucial question of command and control.

Some members of the Security Council, including France, Germany and Russia, want that point resolved before they support the resolution.

Mr Zebari also said Iraq should have complete control of its own resources and assets as of 30 June.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the religious leader of Iraq's Shia Muslim majority, has given his cautious approval to the interim government but called on it to prove its efficiency.

The cleric wields enormous influence over Iraq's 60% Shia majority and correspondents say his approval is necessary to give the interim government legitimacy.