United Nations: The United States and Britain stood isolated in the Security Council as their friends and foes alike opposed to use of force against Iraq and called for giving weapons inspectors and peace a chance.

The surprise was Kuwait, which too joined other Middle Eastern countries in opposing use of the military force, in spite of the fact that US-led coalition fought the Gulf War of 1990 to free it from Iraqi occupation.

Even Australia and Japan did not support Washington. The European Union also did not agree with the US approach.

Expressing its desire for an early return of inspectors, Iraq charged the US with trying to use force for spreading "American imperialism".

But the US got support of Secretary-General Kofi Annan who called for a new resolution strengthening the inspectors' hands, eliminating any weakness and ambiguity.

Several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Jordan, a key US alley, warned that the military action would escalate the situation in the region.

South African Ambassador Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo, whose country heads the non- aligned movement called for an open debate and wanted inspectors and peace be given a chance.

In a statement read on his behalf by Deputy Secretary General Louise Frchette, Annan said that Iraq's failure to comply fully with the resolutions of the Council posed a great challenge to the Council, but it also presented an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, the rule of law, and the organisation itself.

Iraq's decision to readmit inspectors without conditions, he said, was an important first step, but only a first step.

PTI