CANBERRA, June 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The Australian government welcomed the earlier-than-expected handover of power to Iraq's interim government Monday.

    Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told reporters that the US decision to bring the handover forward is sensible as it will prevent possible terrorist attack.

    "I think it's very important to avoid that," he said.

    "The Australian government is delighted that the time has come when sovereignty is handed back to the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq," Downer said.

    The foreign minister said US Secretary of State Colin Powell had informed him of a handover two days ahead of schedule in a phone call earlier Monday.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Howard stressed the need for theUS-led coalition force to stay in Iraq to assist the Iraqi security forces.

    "If they were asked to leave by the Iraqi Government they wouldobviously go, but I don't expect for a moment that any such request would be made," he said.

    Australia, as a staunch ally of the United States, keeps about 850 servicemen in and around Iraq as part of the coalition force. Enditem