The party's regional organisation governed Iraq between 1968 and 2003, for many years under the leadership of Saddam Hussein.

He was elected to Parliament in 2005 as a part of the Shiite coalition that now governs Iraq.

Washington's planning for how to govern Iraq after a war seems equally scattershot.

Who would govern Iraq after Saddam Hussein?

The basic law would establish principles for governing Iraq during the transition to national elections and allow a provisional Iraqi government to operate, council members said.

In the grand drama of governing post-Saddam Iraq, what role will the United Nations play?

The Baath Party has governed Iraq since 1968.

"You know, you then have accepted the responsibility for governing Iraq."

Fifth, this inner cabinet has to draw up a plan for governing Iraq from the center - and not from any one faction.

"If he's on the run, he's not governing Iraq," Mr. Rumsfeld said.