France, Germany, Russia 'to back UN resolution on Iraq'

France, Russia and Germany will vote today in favour of a UN resolution lifting sanctions on Iraq and letting Britain and America run the country until a recognised government takes over, the French foreign minister has said.

“We have decided to vote for this resolution and to work toward a consensus within the Security Council,” Dominique de Villepin said. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov stood at his side.