Washington: In what could be a major policy reversal, US Secretary of State Colin Powell indicated that the US "will have to accept" a theocratic leadership in Iraq if the elections lead to such a situation, while stressing that the American troops will stay for a "considerable period."

In separate television appearances, Powell, who is in attending the World Economic Forum in Jordan, also refused to comment on reports that Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had okayed the Abu Ghraib prison abuses, but insisted there should be a "greater sense of outrage in the Arab world" on the murder of American citizen Nicholas Berg.

Asked by CBS if a theocratic Islamic Government on the lines of Iran would be acceptable to Washington, Powell said, "We will have to accept what the Iraqi people decide upon."

In comments broadcast in CBS's "Meet the Press" programme, Powell also cautioned that any future Iraqi Government will have to respect basic human rights, including the rights of religious minorities, and expressed confidence they will opt in favour of a true democracy.

Speaking to Fox television, he said that after the June 30 handover of power, the Iraq Defence Ministry will operate within a multinational force under a US commander for a "considerable period of time," Secretary of State Colin Powell said.

"There will be a period of time, some considerable period of time, before we can see conditions of security that can be placed totally into the hands of Iraqi security forces," Powell said.

About a New Yorker Magazine article alleging that Rumsfeld had approved the aggressive interrogation of prisoners, including physical coercion and sexual humiliation, Powell said he did not have a chance to read the article. But he noted that the Pentagon spokesman has already dismissed it saying it is not an accurate story. "So there is no point in my speculating about something that we did not know took place."

The abuse pictures from Iraqi prisons, he said, were "troubling" and "totally unacceptable."

"They are deplorable" he said adding he would let the Pentagon explain what instructions were given.

Asked how much damage the atrocities had dome among European and Arab leaders, Powell said, "It has been damaging. There is no doubt about it. People are disappointed in the US."

Powell said he did not want there to be any confusion about the nature of sovereignty being turned over but "I don't think it is a problem we will have to face in a practical way". The US does not want to keep troops there "any longer than we have to" but Iraqis know there will be a considerable period of time "before we can say conditions of security can be placed totally in the hands of Iraqi security forces."

Powell said there should be a higher sense of outrage in the Arab world over the execution of Berg despite Abu Ghraib.