US threatens to pull resolution

THE United States yesterday said it might abandon its search for a UN Security Council majority to authorise a looming invasion of Iraq, as its diplomatic efforts suffered new setbacks.

Still lacking Security Council support for a resolution that would give Iraq a few more days to satisfy its disarmament demands, the White House said diplomatic efforts could spill over into next week. However, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Washington could also pull the resolution, co-sponsored by Britain and Spain, and wage war under the authority of previous UN votes.

“The options remain, go for a vote and see what members say or not go for a vote,” Powell told a congressional committee. “But ... all the options that you can imagine are before us and (we will) be examining them today, tomorrow and into the weekend.”