US Iraq resolution rejected

Thursday, 4 September 2003 12:00 AM

France and Germany have rejected a new US resolution on Iraq.

The US draft resolution had been intended to secure greater international support- including troops- for the US led coalition in Iraq.

It held out the prospect of the UN playing a 'vital role' in Iraq and facilitating democratic elections.

France and Germany though say the resolution does not go far enough, with not enough power having been ceded to the UN.

They are also believed to want a more defined structure for the transfer of power over to the Iraqi people.

The dispute comes as the issue of troop levels in Iraq rises rapidly up the political agenda. Tony Blair today confirmed that a review is being carried out of British troop levels in Iraq. He however emphasised that no decision has yet been taken.

His comments come after a leaked memo from Jack Straw was published in the Daily Telegraph. The paper claims that Mr Straw requested 5000 extra British troops, suggesting that the Iraqi people needed to see significant process by the start of Ramadan in October.

More American soldiers have now died since President Bush declared and end to hostilities in Iraq than during the war itself.

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