The Iraqi Governing Council has nominated Iyad Allawi, a Shiite physician who spent years in exile, to become prime minister of the new government to take power June 30, according to reports.

The council nominated him in a special session held at an undisclosed location for security reasons.

The chief US administrator, L Paul Bremer, attended the session and congratulated Allawi on his nomination.

The council session is still in progress to nominate a president and two vice-presidents.