Iraqi MPs 'set for UN vote'

Parliament is fiercely loyal to Saddam Hussein

The Iraqi parliament has resumed its debate on whether or not to back the return of United Nations weapons inspectors.

Correspondents say deputies may vote on the issue on Tuesday.

Baghdad has until Friday to comply with the resolution, and faces possible military action if it does not.

Weapons inspectors could soon return to Iraq

On Monday parliamentarians condemned the resolution, and the parliament's foreign relations committee recommended that it be rejected.

But the parliament has no power and has already acknowledged that the final decision on the resolution rests with President Saddam Hussein.

Most observers believe that the Iraqi leader has no choice but to comply, but the United States is maintaining pressure on Baghdad to disarm.

'Violation of sovereignty'

Key Iraqi parliamentary officials said on Monday the country's leadership should reject the resolution.

Next steps

Iraq must confirm whether it will "comply fully" with the resolution by Friday

Iraq then has 30 days to reveal all programmes, plants and materials which could be used for weapons production

Inspectors must be allowed to resume checks within 45 days of resolution being passed

Thereafter, inspectors have 60 days to report back to the Security Council but may report violations earlier

Click here for the timetable

Opening a special parliamentary debate, the assembly's speaker Saadun Hammadi said the document was unacceptable and a violation of Iraq's sovereignty.

In another defiant speech, Salim al-Koubaisi, head of the Iraqi parliament's foreign relations committee, said the committee "advises ... the rejection of Security Council Resolution 1441".

The BBC's Caroline Hawley in Baghdad says the strong condemnation of the UN resolution was surprising, as it had been assumed that parliament would reluctantly accept it.

US President George Bush warned Iraq on Monday that it would face the full might of the US military if it defied the resolution, which gives UN arms inspectors sweeping new rights.

Rubber stamp parliament

The resolution says Baghdad must allow unhindered access to suspected weapon sites or face "serious consequences".

But Mr Hammadi said it was "full of lies" and "paves the way for aggression rather than for peace".

Condoleezza Rice said Iraq would be subject to "zero tolerance"

He said deputies would vote on a motion to reject the UN text and leave the final decision to President Saddam Hussein.

Members of the Iraqi parliament are carefully vetted and can only make recommendations - the power to make decisions rests with Saddam Hussein and his close aides.

US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice dismissed the Iraqi parliamentary condemnation on Monday, saying Washington would wait to hear from the Iraqi Government officially.

"But let's be very clear: They don't have the right to accept or reject this resolution," she added.