The prospect of unanimous United Nations Security Council backing for war in Iraq was thrown into doubt today with the accession of Germany to one of the Council's ten permanent seats.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder made fierce criticism of the US approach to Iraq a key plank of his re-election campaign last year, and has ruled out committing German troops to any military action.
The country's ambassador to London, Mr Thomas Matussek, today insisted Berlin would not use its position on the Security Council as a platform from which to lead opposition to war.
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But Mr Matussek said Germany would focus its efforts on securing a "co-operative" solution which preserved global peace and stability.
Germany holds the presidency of the Council in February, a month which many commentators have identified as the most likely time for war to be launched if Saddam Hussein fails to comply with demands to disarm.
A resolution backing war would need the backing of a majority of the Security Council's 15 members, which include two Muslim states, Pakistan and Syria. A veto from any of the Council's five permanent members - the US, UK, Russia, France and China - could also prevent it from passing.
Mr Matussek told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As far as the UN is concerned, we will be very responsible and engaged in trying to secure world peace and international security, but we will concentrate on co-operative efforts to conflict resolution and we want to further develop conflict prevention strategy and post-conflict strategy."
Germany would not go into any vote on military action with a closed mind, said Mr Matussek. "We will look very, very carefully and seriously at the conditions of the world ... and then make our minds up and then vote," he said.
"We will not take part in any military action in Iraq," he added.
Also joining the Security Council today for two-year terms as permanent members were Spain, Pakistan, Angola and Chile.
PA