United Nations: UN Security Council on November 8 unanimously adopted a US-sponsored resolution asking Iraq to scrap its weapons of mass destruction and warned Baghdad of serious consequence if it obstructed the UN weapons inspectors.

The resolution was approved by 15-0 after eight weeks of tough negotiations between the US and Russia along with France, which had expressed reservation to earlier draft.

Syria the only non-permanent Arab member voted for the resolution.

The breakthrough came after French President Jacques Chirac and his US counterpart George W Bush reached agreement on a fresh draft aimed at disarming Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Paris has been seeking assurances that the US-proposed resolution would not allow the automatic use of force if Iraq fails to scrap its alleged weapons of mass destruction.

The resolution gave Iraq one last chance to scrap its alleged weapons of mass destruction or face serious consequences.

PTI