At a briefing, Miguel Angel Moratinos, the likely next foreign minister, said Powell asked how the United States could work with Spain in the UN to address Zapatero's concerns.
Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, meeting earlier with Zapatero, raised the question of a new resolution that would give the UN a greater role in the occupation of Iraq.
At a news conference in Lisbon later yesterday, Blair acknowledged differences within the European Union over the Iraq war that toppled Saddam Hussein but called for unity to help rebuild the country.
"Of course, there is a disagreement over the issue of Iraq with Mr. Zapatero," Blair said. "That is all known. But I think that everybody accepts that whatever their position is on the war in Iraq, the essential thing now is to help the Iraqi people."
Spain under outgoing Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar endorsed the invasion and deployed peacekeeping troops. Most Spaniards, including the Socialists, virulently opposed the conflict and voted Aznar's Popular Party out of power.
Fulfilling a key campaign pledge, Zapatero promised to pull out Spain's troops unless the UN takes control of the occupation.
The daily newspaper El Pais reported Tuesday that Zapatero intends to increase the Spanish contingent of 125 troops in Afghanistan to offset criticism of the withdrawal from Iraq.
Julian Lacalle, a spokesman for Zapatero, declined to confirm or deny that report. Until Zapatero officially becomes prime minister, Lacalle said, "he won't talk about specific policies."
A new UN resolution is seen as a possible way to address Zapatero's demand. There might be a separate UN command to oversee international forces, while the United States leads its own troops, a State Department official said last week.
The Bush administration has suggested it may support a UN resolution in connection with the upcoming transfer of power in Iraq.
Powell spent 15 minutes with Zapatero after the funeral Mass.
Moratinos said Zapatero told Powell that the target date for the troop withdrawal remained June 30 unless there was a radical change in UN control.
It was not clear from briefings by US or British officials traveling with Powell and Blair when a discussion might take place at the UN, or what might be done -- if anything -- to persuade Zapatero.
A US administration official said Zapatero made clear he had not changed his opposition to US policies in Iraq, although he and Powell agreed on the need for cooperation in the war on terrorism.
A Blair spokesman said Blair and Zapatero did not enter into specific details about a UN resolution. It was "touched upon as something that the Americans and British were looking toward," he said on condition of anonymity.
A British official said Blair told Zapatero he recognized the mandate the Spanish leader received from his people.
