US President George W Bush said the United Nations had a last chance to prove its relevance by adopting a resolution the United States will propose that could pave the way for war on Iraq.
Mr Bush told a news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Mr Jose Maria Aznar he was unwilling to wait two months for a new resolution. That was time taken by the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution last November threatening Iraq with "serious consequences" if it did not disarm.
The United States and those countries that support it will submit a draft resolution early next week contending Iraq is failing to comply with UN disarmament demands, Mr Bush said.
Britain said yesterday it would jointly propose the new resolution with the United States next week and a vote would probably be held in mid-March.
But prospects for a new resolution are in doubt, with veto-holder France and Germany leading opposition to an early decision on war by the 15-member council. Mr Bush has vowed to bypass the United Nations and lead a coalition to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by force if necessary.
Asked if this was the last chance for the Security Council to show its relevance, Mr Bush said "Yes. Si. Last chance." But he said, "No," to waiting two months for a new resolution.
"Time is short and this is the chance for the Security Council to show its relevance," Mr Bush said. "And I believe the Security Council will show its relevance because Saddam Hussein has not disarmed."
Mr Aznar said Spain, a rotating member of the Security Council, was "very active in supporting this resolution."
US officials said the United States intended to bring the issue to a vote regardless of its prospects, but they were confident of making a persuasive case.
The United States has repeatedly said time is running out to disarm Iraq peacefully. Up to 170,000 US troops have been assembled in the Gulf region near Iraq, with more on the way, and defense officials say they are now ready to invade immediately if ordered.