United Nations: The United States and Britain have begun lobbying in the Security Council for a new resolution, which would authorise war against Iraq, but so far they have not been able to win over France, Russia and China who still want United nations weapons inspectors to be given more time.

Diplomats said while Britain is drafting a new resolution and consulting on its various elements with the members, France and China are toying with the idea of their own resolution, which would authorise more time to inspectors.

But Paris and Beijing could use it only as bargaining chip, as it has little chance of being adopted by the Council, they said.

While diplomatic activity would continue, no resolution is expected to be introduced before February 14, when top weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed el Baradei make their own key report to the Security Council, they said.

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If Blix says Iraq is co-operating, that would strengthen the hands of Russia, France and China, the diplomats said.

But if the inspectors report that Iraq's co-operation on substantive issues is lacking, then the US would find itself in a stronger position, they added.

The inspectors are going to Baghdad over the weekend for talks with top Iraqi officials.

US President George W Bush had separate telephonic conservations with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and French President Jacques Chirac, in which he sought their support, but reports said he failed to convince them on a military offensive against Iraq.

Britain has not revealed the wording of the resolution, but is only negotiating on elements. Reports said the new UN resolution falls short of explicitly authorising use of force against Iraq but still clears the way for war.

The aim of the move, they said was to avoid a veto by France. The report said the planned resolution would lay down a brief deadline for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to co-operate fully with UN demands and say that his regime was in "material breach" of obligations to disarm and co-operate with UN weapon inspectors.

Diplomats said the draft most likely to find favour with members is that which finds Iraq in breach of the November 8 resolution, under which inspectors are operating. The resolution says its breach would lead to "serious consequences".

Bush has said the US does not require another resolution to take military action. But the second resolution would help calm critics.

If the United States is able to persuade Russia, France and China not to use veto, the role of the non-permanent members becomes crucial as nine votes are needed for any resolution to be adopted.

Thus the US and Britain would require another seven votes. Spain, Bulgaria and Chile seem to be supporting Washington and diplomats said it would not be difficult to influence both Angola and Pakistan. That would give them another five votes.

Germany and Syria are unlikely to support the resolution. That would mean Washington would need another two votes from among Mexico, Guinea and Cameroon.

PTI