"The Spanish government has taken no decision, whether to reinforce its contingent or take over the command," she said, speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

A multinational military contingent in south-centre Iraq -- comprising troops other than those of the United States and Britain -- is currently headed by Poland until July 1.

The Spanish government, facing a general election on March 14, "is working with other NATO members because we consider it important for the Alliance to have a major presence in Iraq if so wished, and as long as it is organised in accordance with both the Iraqi authorities and the UN," she said.

Spain, one of 18 NATO allies serving in Iraq, currently has a 1,300-man contingent under Polish command. If it took over the command it would have to reinforce its personnel by about 1,000.

Madrid has so far made no commitments to take over the command of the multinational force, although Defence Minister Federico Trillo said last September his country would consider taking over the job from next September.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told journalists here a NATO presence in Iraq would depend on two crucial elements, namely transfer of sovereignty to an Iraqi govenrment on July 1 and the UN's increasing role.

"Important developments are going to take place in Iraq in the sense that the date of the first of July is the set date for the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq," he said: "After that day, we will have a sovereign Iraqi government.

"If it is the case that after the transfer of sovereignty, that (Iraqi) government comes to NATO to participate in the stabilisation force, I think the allies will have a very serious discussion, starting with a positive attitude.

"Do not forget that 18 out of the 26 future NATO nations have at the moment forces on the ground in Iraq," the NATO official noted.

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