Bitter division shatters UN protocol

The UN Security Council’s strict protocol was shattered yesterday as the bitter international split over Iraq erupted into its most public row yet.

In passionate, and at times personal, speeches, senior politicians from around the globe responded to Hans Blix’s latest report and argued over the need for military action to topple Saddam Hussein.

The drab council room never witnesses the rowdy debates so often observed in national parliaments Yesterday, as always, delegates

remained unshakeably polite as they exchanged pleasantries and thanked each other for their efforts.

But the divisions over Iraq nonetheless gave the chamber a burst of life Even the seating plan emphasised the stark division between the hawks and the doves.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and US Secretary of State Colin Powell sat side-by-side at the horseshoe-shaped table in the centre of the chamber.

Facing them, and also sitting together, were their one-time allies turned diplomatic rivals, the French and the Germans.

Hopes of passing the second resolution calling for force appeared to be scuppered when French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said a conflict would lead to “dangerous instabilities” and all but said he would veto the proposal.

Drawing gasps from the audience, Mr Straw broke with protocol to directly address his French counterpart as his “good friend Dominique”.

Mr de Villepin’s impassioned speech won a smattering of applause, in another rare break with the protocol that Mr de Villepin himself enjoyed after his response to the inspector’s report.

As the meeting concluded it was clear the public clash of opinions had only exasperated the huge split within the council