The new draft, obtained by Reuters on Wednesday, gives the United Nations a list of duties, similar to earlier versions. But it falls short of demands by France, Russia, Germany and others that the world body play a pivotal, independent role in overseeing the country's transition.

Diplomats expect considerable suggestions for changes before the measure is adopted by the 15-member Security Council. At minimum, they say, the draft should set a date for when a plan leading to Iraqi sovereignty could be submitted.

The main purpose of the new resolution, as before, is to transform the military operation into a UN-authorised multinational force under American command.

This provision is aimed at attracting more contributions from nations wary of sending soldiers as part of an occupation force, although volunteers appear to be scarce.

The 25-member Iraqi Governing Council, appointed by the United States, would provide a timetable and program for drafting a new constitution and for elections, in cooperation with the occupation authorities and the United Nations.

The United Nations would help, if asked by Iraqi leaders, to establish an electoral process along with "advancing efforts to restore and establish national and local institutions for representative government," the draft says.

To meet some objections, the text speaks of the "temporary nature" of the US-led occupation "until an internationally recognised, representative government is established."

It says that the administration of Iraq will be "progressively undertaken by the evolving structures of the Iraqi interim administration.

"The day when Iraqis govern themselves must come quickly," the preamble of the draft says.

US Ambassador John Negroponte, this month's Security Council president, hopes the resolution can be adopted before an Oct. 23-24 donors conference in Madrid. No council member has threatened to veto the measure but France and others said they might abstain.

Negroponte presented the draft on Wednesday to the other four permanent council members with veto power -- France, Russia, China and Britain. Germany also received a copy.

France has advocated some immediate gesture of sovereignty while Russia wanted the United Nations set a timetable and guide Iraqi leaders to free elections.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan prefers a plan to turn over power to a provisional Iraqi government within three to five months, UN officials said.

"What we want is a sovereign provisional government as soon as possible so we can work in Iraq like we do in other countries instead of being asked to be part of military occupation," one UN official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Despite calls for a bigger UN role, the United Nations this week pulled out more international staff from Iraq and is not willing to send them back until their security improves.