Iraq debates new U.N. resolution

All 15 member states of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution.

Iraq is trying to determine the best way of dealing with a new U.N. Security Council resolution concerning the Gulf nation. On Friday, the United Nations unanimously passed the resolution, which calls on Iraq to allow inspectors back into the country to make sure Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq has until this Friday to comply with the U.N. resolution. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered an emergency session of his parliament to discuss what action to take. After the issue is discussed, the group will send its recommendation on what to do about it to the Revolution Command Council -- the highest body in Iraq. Saddam Hussein chairs that council.

Iraq is expected to accept the resolution, though it has voiced strong opposition in the past.

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Arab foreign ministers, who met over the weekend in Cairo, Egypt, said they welcomed the resolution. But they also said they wanted assurances from the U.N. Security Council that an attack against Iraq would not occur anytime soon.

Under the new U.N. resolution, the U.S. would consult with the United Nations before taking any military action. But if Iraq refuses to comply with the new resolution, Secretary of State Colin Powell says the United States would take action against the Gulf nation, even if the United Nations does not. Powell said, "I can assure you if [Iraqi Leader Saddam Hussein] doesn't comply this time, we are going to ask the U.N. to give authorization for all necessary means [to ensure that he does]. If the U.N. isn't willing to do that, the United States with like-minded nations, will go and disarm him forcefully."

U.S. Army Apache helicopters practice refueling in northern Kuwait.

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card added, "The U.N. can meet and discuss, but we don't need their permission" before taking military action. Card said President Bush is not looking for an excuse to go to war, but that the White House would do so if it felt it was necessary.

The Bush administration has called repeatedly for a regime change in the country. A White House official said that Saddam's government is not likely to be in place if the U.S. forcibly disarms Iraq.

Although a specific war plan has not been approved by President Bush, a broad outline has been, including intense air strikes and up to 250,000 troops for a possible land invasion.