Outgunned… for now
However, diplomatic sources said the US and Britain were expected to press ahead, possibly as early as today, with a draft resolution demanding military action against Iraq.
The resolution will be presented to the United Nations Security Council, arguing that Saddam Hussein is in material contravention of UN Resolution 1441.
However, London and Washington faced powerful opposition from France, which said Dr Hans Blix's report showed inspections were working and should be given more time.
In an impassioned speech which won a rare round of applause French Foreign Minister Dominic de Villepin insisted war was "not justified" at the present time.
With Russia and China the other two permanent members of the Security Council also calling for more time for inspections, Britain and the US appear to have little chance of gaining a new UN resolution authorising force.
Although Dr Blix said Iraq still had not accounted for large quantities of biological and chemical agents used to produce anthrax and VX gas, his second report to Security Council was much more of a mixed bag than his first one two weeks ago.
He said Iraq was beginning to hand over documents, had allowed its scientists to talk to the inspectors without a minder present, and had agreed to surveillance flights by U2 spy planes.
He also challenged satellite evidence presented to the Security Council by Mr Powell that the Iraqis had "cleaned up" its chemical sites before the inspectors, saying it may only have shown "routine movements".
Any unilateral move by the US and Britain will face intense opposition. The groundswell opposition to war will be seen in global demonstrations today.
More than 20,000 protesters are expected to take to the streets of Dublin in tandem with anti-war marches in 400 cities across the globe. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend marches in Barcelona and London and 100,000 more are expected in Paris, Berlin and Rome. Major demonstrations are also scheduled for 140 towns and cities in the US, centring on protests in New York and Washington.
The Catholic Bishop of Clonfert John Kirby will be leading the march in Dublin.
"This is a war that should not be taking place. If the Americans and the British go on their own, we should withdraw all cooperation," he said.
The anti-war campaigners received a fillip from the chief UN weapons inspectors yesterday as they recommended arms searches in Iraq continue and that Dr Blix and fellow UN inspector Mohamed El Baradei return to the council with a progress report on March 14.
A majority of the 15 members of the council favour continued inspections in Iraq, and their applause for M de Villepin was an unusual show of accord and appreciation.
France could also decide to submit its proposal to triple the number of inspectors, diplomats said.
Just before the Security Council met, Saddam issued a presidential decree banning all weapons of mass destruction weapons he claims he does not have.
In the council chamber, Mr Powell said: "The threat of force must remain. We cannot wait for one of these terrible weapons to turn up in our cities. More inspections I am sorry are not the answer."
British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw urged all 15 members to "hold our nerve in the face of this tyrant".
A White House spokesman said: "Nowhere did the world receive any comfort that Saddam Hussein has shown the world that he has disarmed. Quite the contrary."
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