WASHINGTON, Feb 18: US Secretary of State Colin Powell confirmed on Tuesday US plans to return Iraq's sovereignty to its people by June 30. We still believe that June 30 is the appropriate time to have a transition to an interim government of the people of Iraq.

We are waiting to get a report from (UN envoy Lakhdar) Brahimi, through (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan, as to the results of ambassador Brahimi's visit to the region," Mr Powell said. -AFP