He also reiterated a call for a nati-onal truth and justice commission similar to one created in post-apartheid South Africa, to end once and for all recriminations over who had or had not committed crimes under former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Jaafari, a Shia, said a first priority was to draw up a permanant constitution before fresh general elections are held on December 15.

But with security a huge headache and some 700 people killed in attacks since the cabinet was sworn in at the beginning of May, Jaafari pledged to beef up security.

"In order to accelerate a return to stability, the government will allocate sufficient funds to relaunch the intelligence and national defence services," he said.

Another way to stem the violence, he said, was to incorporate militias into the armed forces to "put an end to terrorism and reduce the time multi-national forces are here".

The prime minister also told lawmakers: "The political program-me of the interim government set up following elections has the objective of building a federal, pluralist Iraq while respecting human rights and public freedoms."