NATO has postponed a decision on whether to prepare supporting measures in any US-led war against Iraq after a heated debate among ambassadors, diplomats said.
"It was a pretty tough discussion. The arguments were flying. It's all about timing," one diplomat said.
The United States last week formally asked the 19-nation alliance to take six measures to provide indirect military assistance in case of a war with Iraq, mainly to protect NATO ally Turkey against possible Iraqi attacks.
France and Germany have publicly opposed any rush to war and many other European allies say United Nations weapons inspectors should be given more time to try to disarm Iraq peacefully.
Diplomats said the allies were not opposed to the US requests in principle but were anxious not to appear to be endorsing military action before diplomatic avenues had been exhausted.
