Washington - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he intends to ask former secretary of state Colin Powell to serve as an advisor if he wins the White House.

"He will have a role as one of my advisers," Obama said Monday on NBC television. "He's already served in that function, even before he endorsed me."

Powell, a retired general and longtime Republican who advised Ronald Reagan and the first George Bush before becoming the top US diplomat on the current president's first term, said Sunday on Meet the Press that he was supporting Obama.

Obama and his Republican opponent John McCain both coveted Powell's endorsement. Powell's vote should help Obama shore up perceptions that he is too inexperienced on foreign policy and military issues.

Powell, 71, said on Sunday he would be reluctant to accept an official position in either an Obama or McCain administration, but did not rule out the possibility.

"Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether there's something that's a good fit for him, I think is something that he and I would have to discuss," Obama said. (dpa)