United Nations: The new UN Security Council resolution threatens Iraq with "serious consequences", which diplomats said may include military action against Baghdad, if Iraq is found to be in "material breach" of the resolution.

Iraq will be in "material breach" of the resolution if Baghdad does not convey its acceptance of the new resolution within seven days. It has no bargaining capacity and no choice but to accept it if it wants to avoid possible military action, the resolution said.

The seven-day period began on November 8 itself with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan conveying the resolution to Iraq after the Security Council adopted it.

Secondly, Baghdad's non-compliance with the resolution is defined as its failure to make complete declaration of all its weapons of mass destruction, related facilities and materials and vehicles of delivery as also their component and disclose their location within 30 days.

It is the understanding among the Council members that Iraq would get another week or two to disclose all civilian programmes employing items of dual use, the resolution said.

The third "material breach" would be in the event of inspectors finding that the disclosure of weapons was not complete or Iraq withheld some information, tried to mislead them or barred them access to any site including Presidential palaces. Access must be granted immediately.

In the earlier inspection regime, there was a special method to conduct searches in the Presidential palaces which were much less intrusive. That procedure no longer exists and their inspection could be as intrusive as of any other site.

If Baghdad tries to bar any official from being interviewed by inspectors, tries to stop the official and his family from being taken out of the country for interview by inspectors if they so desire or commits any act deemed to be hostile against inspectors, it would be considered "material breach" of the resolution.

The resolution said if inspectors find themselves obstructed in any way, they are to report to the Council immediately.

The Council will convene immediately on receiving any such report to decide what needs to be done to bring Iraq in compliance.

The US said it does not require any further authorisation to use force if Iraq is in non-compliance. France, Russia and other members said it would be for the Council to decide further action.

PTI