The US House of Representatives has voted to grant President George W. Bush the power he wants to launch a possible US military attack on Iraq.
The Republican-led House endorsed a war-powers resolution, giving Mr Bush the support he sought to confront Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who the White House says possesses weapons of mass destruction that threaten the United States and its allies.
The House voted 296-133 for the resolution that calls on Mr Bush to pursue efforts through the United Nations to disarm Iraq before resorting to war.
The Democratic-led Senate earlier voted 75-25 to clear the way for a final vote on the war-powers resolution negotiated by the White House and congressional leaders.
As the lawmakers gave their summarizing statements before the final House vote, two protesters in the gallery shouted "no war" and "blood for oil."
