BAGHDAD, July 30 (Xinhuanet) -- US Secretary of State Colin Powell Friday stressed his country's determination to overcome the challenges in Iraq and reaffirmed US support for the interim government after talks in Baghdad.

    "We are facing challenges in the weeks ahead, but we are determined to overcome them," Powell told reporters when he was received by President Ghazi al-Yawar.

    Powell is the most senior US official to visit Iraq since the power handover from the US-led coalition to an Iraqi interim government on June 28.

    "I reaffirm our determination and commitment to keep working with the interim government as they go about the process of establishing democracy on the basis of freedom and human rights in Iraq," he stressed.

    Powell, a former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid his third visit to Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion as the country is grappling with an escalating hostage crisis and chronic insecurity.

    He met at Baghdad International Airport with US Ambassador JohnD.

    Negroponte and would hold talks with top Iraqi officials, a US embassy spokesman said.

    He is expected to leave later Friday, the spokesman added. 

    A US military helicopter flew Powell, who last visited Iraq on March 19, from Baghdad's airport to the US Embassy building in socalled Green Zone that also houses the buildings of Iraq's interim government.

    On Thursday, Powell met Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi in Saudi Arabia where the latter was on a visit. Both sides welcomed a Saudi proposal to form an Arab or Muslim force for Iraqi security.Enditem