The Arab League has agreed to accept a representative from the Iraqi Governing Council. This, in effect, recognizes the Iraqi Governing Council as the government in Iraq. The US government selected the 25 members of the Council and has veto power over any of its decisions. The Council is an interim organization until a new constitution can be created and elections held. 

The US plans to spend $87 billion for Iraq operations in the next year. Some 59 percent would be for military operations, the rest for reconstruction in Iraq. The total cost for Iraqi reconstruction is estimated to be $50-75 billion.

Britain is sending another 1200 infantry to Iraq. This is because the Shia political groups in the south are becoming more violent as they strive to increase their political power.