France and Germany to support UN resolution

THE Anglo-American resolution defining the new Iraqi government’s powers was finally heading for the UN Security Council’s approval late last night.

The measure appeared to have overwhelming support after a last-minute US compromise won the backing of the war’s sharpest critics, France and Germany.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, meeting in Washington with Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer, said the Security Council, which met at 10pm last night, was “close to unanimity” on the resolution.