Moscow: Russia will veto the US-British resolution before the UN Security Council authorising the use of force against Iraq, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in a statement on March 10.

If such a plan is presented before the UN Security Council, "then Russia will use its vote against the resolution", Ivanov said.

It was the first direct reference to a veto by the Russian Foreign Minister, who had earlier vowed to "block" the move, suggesting an abstention.

Agencies