The draft resolution on Iraq, which the US, UK and Spain submitted to the Security Council on Monday, deepened the rift within the UN as it was rivalled by a proposal to boost weapons inspections, backed by France, Germany and Russia.

The resolution, designed to clear the way for military action against Iraq, says Iraq "has failed to take the final opportunity afforded to it in Resolution 1441".

France and Germany counteracted with a document saying that the "military option should only be a last resort" and "so far, the conditions for using force against Iraq are not fulfilled".

They called for intrusive inspections and a "rigorous" schedule of deadlines.

The US and UK started a diplomatic drive to win enough votes to pass a Security Council resolution on the use of force against Iraq. Efforts are expected to be focused on winning the support of Angola, Guinea, Cameroon, Mexico, Chile, and Pakistan.

Nine votes and no veto by any of the five permanent Council members - US, UK, France, Russia and China - is required to pass the draft resolution.

So far, Bulgaria is the only country that supported the three countries who signed the draft.