President Saddam Hussein said today Iraq would consider co-operating with a new UN resolution on Baghdad's disarmament as long as it was not merely a pretext for US military action.
"If a resolution is issued which respects the UN charter, international law and Iraq's sovereignty, security and independence, and does not provide a cover for America's ill intentions, we will view it in a way that makes us deal with it," official Iraqi television quoted Saddam as telling visiting far-right Austrian politician Mr Joerg Haider.
"We saw no need for the Security Council to adopt a new resolution," Saddam added.
Diplomats at the UN said last week that Security Council members appeared to be closer to agreement on a new resolution on disarming Iraq, though differences remained.
At issue is what France, Russia and China call "hidden triggers" in the US- and British-sponsored resolution that would allow Washington to launch a military strike, overthrow Saddam and claim afterwards it had UN authorisation.
Iraq has agreed to allow UN arms inspectors to return after a four-year absence, and said it would give them unfettered access to suspected weapons sites.
But Washington, which accuses Baghdad of developing weapons of mass destruction and has called for "regime change" in Iraq, has asked the inspectors to stay put while it seeks a tougher mandate from the UN.
Earlier today, Iraqi vice-president Mr Taha Yassin Ramadan said the world was baffled by the determination of the US to use force against Iraq.
"The Security Council is baffled on how to deal with the American madness," Mr Ramadan said. "I don't see any flexibility in the US position. There is increased foolishness and determination to force the Security Council to adopt a new resolution on Iraq".
Mr Ramadan said the international community should denounce the US for its intransigence. "The US has for years raised hell for the return of the inspectors and delayed their return once Iraq reached an agreement with the UN allowing them back," he said.
Mr Ramadan said Iraq would make its position clear once the new UN resolution is adopted by the council. Voting is expected this week. Iraqi Minister of Culture Mr Hamed Yousif Hummadi reiterated this afternoon Iraq's view that the US would attack Iraq whether the UN adopts the US-drafted resolution or not.
"Whether there is a resolution at the Security Council or not, Bush is determined to launch aggression on Iraq," he told reporters.
The search for a new resolution began in September when US president Mr George W. Bush challenged UN leaders to deal with Iraq's failure to comply with UN disarmament demands or the US would act alone.