U.N. to debate Iraq resolution

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The United States will distribute its latest and presumably final version of a resolution on Iraq to the full U.N. Security Council Wednesday morning.

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A vote is expected within 48 hours of distribution.

A U.S. official said the resolution makes it "very clear that Iraq is in material breach of its obligations" and calls for a strict weapons inspection regime, and will call for "serious consequences" if Iraq fails to comply with the resolution.

France and Russia led a hard diplomatic battle over the language of the resolution, pushing to the end for wording that would not authorize any automatic use of force by the United States against Iraq.

The U.S. official said French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin made it clear in a phone call with Secretary of State Colin Powell that the French are now "on board with the resolution."

A major sticking point in past versions of the resolution was the use of the term "in material breach," which was considered possible trigger language for a military strike since it implies a violation of the 1991 cease-fire agreement after the Gulf War.

The U.S. official said it was not yet clear how Russia would vote. However, a veto is not expected.

To pass, the resolution will need nine positive votes from the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council and no veto from any of the five permanent members -- the United States, Britain, Russia, France and China.

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