Aside from the violence of the guerrillas, the U.S. occupying forces are also under pressure from many ordinary Iraqis to restore basic services damaged by U.N. sanctions and the war and to let them resume control of their own country.
The 25-member Governing Council, appointed by the U.S. authority in Baghdad nine days ago, has yet to make much of a mark, however, for all its presence at the United Nations.
Made up of representatives of Iraq's various and often fractious religious and ethnic communities, it has yet to choose a leader or determine the structure of power within the Council, let alone appoint ministers to help run the country.
Stung by media reports of squabbling over the leadership, the Council issued a statement on Tuesday saying it had not yet even "discussed this issue at all." On their appointment, several members said picking a leader was their top priority.
It is not clear what their meetings have been devoted to.
In New York, Security Council diplomats said the delegation from Baghdad had been arguing over which of them was to address the chamber.
"Me!" "No, me!" "Not him, me!" Sigh ...