"We are ready to examine the proposals but they seem quite far from what appears to us the primary objective, namely the transfer of political responsibility to an Iraqi government as soon as possible," Chirac told a news conference with Schroeder.

Facing almost daily casualties in Iraq, Washington has drafted a new U.N. resolution aimed at getting more countries to contribute soldiers and cash to its occupation but which insists on full U.S. military control and a dominant political role.

Schroeder said that the proposals showed movement in the U.S. position but did not go far enough. He said that while France and Germany opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, they now wanted to help bring stability and democracy to the country.

"Such a perspective can only develop if the United Nations takes over responsibility for the political process and if an Iraqi administration is installed," he said.

The proposed U.N. resolution marked a policy reversal for the administration of President Bush, which had resisted U.N. involvement after the Security Council's failure to approve the war that toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

France, Russia, China and Germany were among nations on the Security Council which opposed Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the US commander on the ground in Iraq, said on Thursday that he currently had adequate troops.

"There is no force or threat out there that can't be handled," he told reporters in Baghdad.

However, he added, more soldiers could be needed to meet future challenges such as border security, or dealing with internal conflict or an increased threat from foreign militants

Overnight, American troops fought battles with militants in Tikrit and Falluja, two former strongholds of the ousted regime, but there are no reports of casualties.