US President George W Bush on Thursday said other nations, including those who were opposed to the war in Iraq, have an obligation to participate in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

"A free Iraq will be in their nations' benefit. It will make the world more peaceful and more secure," he said.

"I would hope that nations would participate, and to the extent that some nations need an additional UN resolution, this could be helpful in encouraging international participation," he said.

Bush pointed out that Secretary of State Colin Powell would hold talks with foreign ministers of the other permanent members of the Security Council, as well as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday.

Meanwhile, Powell, in an interview to Al Jazeera television, indicated that there are limits to which the US can go to secure a UN resolution.

The UN has a vital role, he said, but ruled out handing over Iraq to the world body. By going to war, said Powell, "we assumed responsibility for the country. We knew that under international law we had to become the government".