The UN Security Council issued a statement late last night supporting a call by the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, for Iraq to resume co-operation with UN weapons inspectors.
The Security Council president, Mr Peter Burleigh, in a statement after three hours of talks described as "tense" by some delegations, did not refer to criticism by China, Russia and France of a decision to pull out UN inspectors.
During the meeting, the three countries criticised the UN top weapons inspector, Mr Richard Butler, for failing to inform the 15-member council of his decision on Tuesday to withdraw all arms experts from Baghdad.
Mr Burleigh said simply that the council had received a "thorough briefing" from UN security co-ordinator, Mr Benon Sevan. Mr Butler did not speak at the meeting, diplomats said.
Mr Burleigh also said the council "welcomes and fully supports in all respects the press statement issued by the Secretary General" earlier in the day. In that statement Mr Annan urged Iraq to rescind its decision breaking off all co-operation with the UN inspectors.