US and Britain alone on Iraq

AMERICA and Britain were isolated last night as world leaders backed Iraq’s decision to admit UN weapons inspectors without conditions.

The US was sceptical about Baghdad's willingness to allow a real search for weapons of mass destruction and Secretary of State Colin Powell said Washington would seek a new UN Security Council resolution spelling out the steps Iraq needs to take to meet 11-year old UN demands.

"We will press for a resolution," Powell said. "If they (the Iraqis) are serious, they will want one."