As the latest confrontation between the United Nations and Iraq continues, the British government says it is urgently looking at how to clamp down on the illegal export of Iraqi oil.

The Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, told a group of journalists in London that this option should be discussed, in particular, with those countries which did not want to see force used to make the Iraqis co-operate with UN weapons inspectors.

Mr Cook said that there were extensive diplomatic moves now going on, and he and other British ministers would be visiting Iraq's neighbours and all the Gulf states over the next two weeks.

One focus for discussions would be how to clamp down on the substantial smuggling of Iraqi oil, through Gulf waters, across the border into Turkey and illegal sales to Jordan.