“The terms of the UN Resolution 1546 [adopted on June 8, 2004] that endorsed the formation of the Interim Iraqi Government were explicit in their treatment of the status of the Coalition forces in Iraq. UN Security Council Resolution 1546 stated ‘that the multinational force shall have the authority to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq.’ …the UN Resolution made it clear that the Interim Government was indeed just that: a sovereign but temporary government whose main political purpose was to organise national elections before the end of January 2005. Effective military power remained with the MNF [Multi-National Forces]–in effect, the United States–and the occupation would continue under another guise.”
– Ali A. Allawi, The Occupation of Iraq, Page 288