US and allies at odds over secret plans to rule Iraq

The United States is triggering fresh tension with its allies, including Britain, by failing fully to define what kind of transition plan it sees for Iraq once the war is over, while at the same time signalling that it expects to retain primary control of the country, with the United Nations given only a subsidiary role.

The debate and the secrecy surrounding the American plans are also leading to infighting in Washington, with a power struggle between the Pentagon and the State Department. Equally disquieted are members of Congress who want the influence of the Pentagon sharply curtailed.

Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Defence Secretary, tried to dampen some of the controversy yesterday by emphasising that the Iraqi people should decide on the make-up of a first government after Saddam Hussein.

Countering suggestions that Washington would try to handpick Iraq's new leaders, Mr Wolfowitz said the US "can't say that anyone should take a leading role". He added: "By definition, if you're going to have a government or even a transitional authority that represents the legitimate views of the Iraqi people, it's the Iraqi people that have to decide."

But despite his remarks, opinions differ on how the first representatives of an Iraqi-led government should be selected. The US is pondering some kind of interim Iraqi authority in southern Iraq soon – possibly even before President Saddam is toppled.. Last week, Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary, said an Iraqi authority should be set up in the south immediately, led by Iraqi political exiles.

The idea is being strongly resisted by the State Department, which argues that it would be better to wait to see the full array of Iraqi opposition leaders who might emerge as the power of President Saddam fades.

Meanwhile, the US is facing a deepening dispute with its allies over the involvement of the UN in Iraq after the conflict. Tony Blair is expected to push for a leading role for the UN in any interim administration during talks with George Bush tomorrow.

Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, is likely to say the same. Last night, he asked for a special meeting with the full UN Security Council this morning and is expected to press the case with ambassadors. So far, however, there is every sign that Washington – and the Pentagon, in particular – will resist allowing the UN to oversee the transition to an Iraqi-led government in Baghdad.

Washington would clearly prefer to see the UN and its various agencies help only with elements of reconstruction and averting a humanitarian crisis. Primary responsibility for reconstruction, including setting up a short-term administration, has been given to a specially created agency, the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, which is headed by Jay Garner, a retired US army general, who is answerable to the Pentagon.

General Garner postponed indefinitely a debut news briefing scheduled for today, an aide said, giving no reason.