Iraq has been governed by the Coalition Provisional Authority since the April 2003 removal of Saddam Hussein and his Ba'athist party.

The Coalition operates in close partnership with the Iraqi Interim Governing Council (GC), which was appointed by the Coalition on July 30, 2003. The 25-member Governing Council represents all major strands of Iraqi society and has substantial powers.

On September 1, 2003, 25 Interim Ministers were appointed by the Governing Council to run Iraq's government on a daily basis. The GC and its ministers are consulted on all major policy issues.

On April 2nd, 2004 Ambassador approved the first tranche of Deputy Ministers to assist the ministers.

On November 15, 2003, a landmark Agreement was reached on a timetable for the restoration of full Iraqi sovereignty, creation of a permanent constitution and the holding of free, national elections.

Iraq is currently governed by an interim constitution, the first in the history of the Iraqi Nation and a model for the protection of individual rights across the region. The Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), also features a bill of rights and provisions to ensure equal treatment under the law, a federal arrangement for Iraq, an independent judiciary, civilian control over security forces, and acknowledges the role of Islam as a source of law in Iraq.

Source: www.iraqcoalition.org