US grows impatient with UN over Iraq stance

THE United States is showing signs of growing impatience in seeking UN backing for action against Iraq, as Saddam Hussein said US war threats helped him win 100% backing in a referendum for another seven years as Iraqi president.

Diplomats said the Bush administration, facing opposition from most countries in the world to its demand for a tough UN Security Council resolution on disarming Iraq, has softened some language in its original draft but still seeks authorisation to use force.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the resolution in Washington on Wednesday with French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, whose country has been leading resistance to the draft resolution that would give Washington the right to attack Iraq for the slightest failure to meet UN requirements.