US hopes to secure new resolution next week

THE UNITED STATES will submit a new resolution to a split UN Security Council next week, paving the way for a possible war against Iraq that President George W Bush yesterday predicted America and its allies would win decisively.

A senior US official said Washington would offer a second resolution despite pressure from Security Council members France, Russia and China for more time for UN weapons inspectors to search for chemical and biological arms, even as the inspectors complain that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has not followed through on promises of increased co-operation.

"The tabling of the second resolution will take place next week," said the official travelling with Bush on a visit to Georgia.