The BBC's Peter Biles: "UN policy towards Iraq is far from clear"

US Defence Secretary William Cohen, visiting Kuwait, said nearly 20,000 personnel would remain in the area despite the imminent withdrawal of many troops and war planes.

And President Bill Clinton's national security advisor, Sandy Berger, said the US was under an obligation to strike again if President Saddam Hussein continued making weapons of mass destruction.

Paul Reynolds on Sandy Berger's speech outlining US proposals

He also said Washington would pay more attention to deepening co-operation with Iraqi opposition groups seeking to overthrow Saddam Hussein, but he warned against expecting quick results.

Mr Berger was confident the US could keep tabs on Iraq even if Saddam Hussein did not allow the UN weapons inspectors back.

"We will continue to conduct air reconnaissance," Mr Berger said. "We can act if Iraq tries to resume large-scale production of chemical or biological weapons.

''We can watch Iraq's external procurement activity. And we will know what it is trying to build and buy."

The BBC's Ed Campbell: The US is keeping forces on standby

He said US administration officials would hold a meeting with opposition groups early in the new year.

Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov described the continued threats by the US and Britain as a very dangerous development.

He accused them of bypassing the UN and resorting to strong-arm methods.

'Saddam feared a revolt'

Meanwhile the US commander in the Gulf said what Saddam Hussein feared most as airstrikes approached last week was a revolt in his own ranks.

The Iraqi leader split up his ground troops and placed them under loyal and ruthless lieutenants, according to Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni.

He said Saddam Hussein's main aim was to avert any uprising from within once the airstrikes began.

British and American forces suffered no casualties during the four day operation.

But General Zinni revealed anti-aircraft artillery fire was heavy enough in some places to cause combat pilots to abandon their targets.

'Strong-arm methods'

Security Council divided over Iraq

The US and Britain launched strikes against Iraq after UN weapons inspectors said Saddam Hussein was continuing to obstruct their work.

The military action drew heavy condemnation from Russia.

The UN Security Council remains deeply divided over Iraq with some members calling for the disbandment of Unscom - the body overseeing the dismantling of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

On Wednesday, the US rejected Russian proposals that Secretary-General Kofi Annan play a role in the formulation of UN policy on future arms inspections.

Russia, in a draft statement, proposed that Mr Annan first assess the impact of the air strikes "and play his part in promoting humanitarian relief and healing diplomacy".

But the US deleted all reference to a diplomatic role for Mr Annan.

Despite the rift in the Security Council, the Russian ambassador to the US has flown back to Washington, following his recall in protest at the air strikes.

Britain has said that Russia's ambassador to London, who was also recalled, is due to return by the end of the week.