German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said here Tuesday that Nato was not the appropriate body to stabilise Iraq and instead called for the dispatch of troops from Islamic countries.
"I have doubts: Is Nato the good instrument to stabilise Iraq?" he told reporters after attending a meeting of the Belgian cabinet.
"I'm wondering whether it would not be more appropriate (to send) troops from Muslim countries to gain the trust of the (Iraqi) population," he added, stressing however that he would not block a decision by Nato to send troops.
Germany opposed the US-led war in Iraq last year.
The restive situation in Iraq, where US-led occupation forces are battling a dogged insurgency and have been tarnished by the scandal over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, will be a key item on the agenda of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit in Istanbul late next month.
Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said last month that it would be up to the sovereign transitional government that will take over in Iraq after the June 30 transfer of power from the US-led coalition to make an official request for Nato involvement.