The coalition forces would remain in Iraq for a longer period, although at the invitation of a new Iraqi administration, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said Monday.

Although the occupation of Iraq would cease next summer on the current timelines of a new US plan aimed at speeding up power transfer to Iraqis, coalition forces would still remain in the country, the spokesman told reporters.

The precise composition of that force was something that would need to be discussed in the longer term, the spokesman said, responding to questions that if the North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces would take over the role of coalition forces in Iraq.

A number of other countries had already contributed troops to Iraq, the spokesman said, adding that Britain were keen for that pool to be expanded.

The Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) on Saturday endorsed a US plan that would create a provisional, sovereign government by the end of next June.

At that point, the occupation would end and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) would be dissolved. Following that, elections for a new government would be held by the end of 2005.

The spokesman's comments came as US President George W. Bush said Monday that the United States would not pull out of Iraq when a provisional government is established by July 1.

Bush was expected to arrive in London on Tuesday for a three-day state visit to Britain, during which he would discuss rebuilding Iraq with Blair, his staunchest ally in Europe.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2003)