NATO members agreed today to back United Nations efforts to rid Iraq of its alleged arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, diplomats said.
"NATO allies stand united in their commitment to take effective action to assist and support the efforts of the UN to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq with the conditions or restrictions of UNSCR 1441," diplomats quoted the alliance's communique on Iraq as reading.
UNSCR 1441 is the Security Council resolution that sent arms inspectors back to Iraq this week after an absence of four years.
The United States had been pushing NATO to issue a strong statement of support for its efforts to disarm Iraq but opposition from some alliance members, wary of eventual war, watered down the final wording of the declaration.
Earlier,British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair said NATO leaders were agreed on the need for Iraq to disarm.
"I think what you will find here at this NATO summit is a total united determination on behalf of the international community," said Mr Blair.
"I think, reflected in the United Nations resolution, that Saddam Hussein has to disarm himself of all weapons of mass destruction. And how that happens is a choice for him," he said.
Mr Blair said if Saddam failed to co-operate "then he will be disarmed by force. And that is the clearest will of the international community. And I think you will find now that there is a consensus for that position virtually across the civilised world".
US officials are pressing NATO leaders to back a strong statement of political support for the UN resolution requiring Iraq to disarm.
AFP