UN toils to end Iraq deadlock

Attempts are continuing at the United Nations to break the deadlock over a new resolution on Iraq.

It had been hoped that France and America would reach a compromise over the authorisation of military force against Saddam Hussein in the event of weapons violations

Bowing to criticism, the US revised the wording of its draft UN resolution so force could not be used automatically.

But the French were still unhappy. They want two resolutions, one to lay down demands for Iraqi disarmament, and a second to authorize force, if needed.

The US says one resolution is enough and has stressed it could attack Iraq at any time in self-defence and without UN approval.

It accepts, however, that even its closest ally Britain would be reluctant to join strikes without some kind of new Security Council resolution.

Baghdad has said it is prepared to allow weapons inspectors back into the country but only under existing UN resolutions.

It has said it will use "all means necessary" to defend itself against military action.