Eleven of the 15 UN Security Council members support extending arms inspections in Iraq, a German government source said today.
The source said the countries on the Security Council that did not support extending the arms inspections included the United States, Britain "in part", Spain and Bulgaria.
"The others support the German position," the source said in response to a question about whether Germany was isolated in wanting the weapons inspectors to be given more time.
Germany is a temporary, non-veto-holding member and currently holds the chair of the Security Council, which needs the support of nine of its 15 members to pass any resolutions.
The source said that when the work of the "weapons inspectors has been exhausted, then we can talk about other action".
The German government wants to see "robust inspections" carried out in line with UN resolution 1441 on Iraqi disarmament and the international sanctions imposed after President Saddam Hussein's forces invaded Kuwait reinforced.
The source said Germany had been working together with France on a number of proposals to avoid a conflict in Iraq made to the Security Council on February 5th.
The proposals included boosting the number of inspectors, tightening border controls against illegal oil exports and other smuggling, and examining more closely so-called "dual use" materials that could also be used to make weapons.
AFP