Signs of strain between Britain and the United States, the United States and Russia; and a surprise statement from the Spanish today indicated the diplomatic difficulties facing the countries advocating military action against Iraq.
Early today, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld suggested Washington was ready to go it alone without the support of troops from Britain if necessary, though he quickly backtracked, saying he was confident America's chief ally would fight side by side with US troops.
The British backed up Mr Rumsfeld's second assertion.
"If action is necessary, there will be a significant part played by British troops," said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Mr Blair.
But the European Union warned the United States against attacking Iraq without UN approval and said Europe might withhold funds for reconstruction under such circumstances.
As US president George W Bush resumed the process of drumming up support for a UN resolution authorising an attack on Iraq, the Spanish, staunch supporters of the US position, complicated matters by declaring that a draft resolution before the Security Council could be withdrawn.
Foreign Minister Ms Ana Palacio said the draft resolution could be withdrawn because of the threat of a French determination to block it.
"Not submitting the resolution is a possibility given the French determination to use its veto, because such a veto would have consequences on the UN system," Ms Palacio said after a brief trip to Paris.
As currently drafted the second resolution, sponsored by Britain, Spain and the United States, would give Iraq a deadline of March 17th to prove it is disarming or else face attack.
Meanwhile, the signs of testy relations between the US and Russia resurfaced again today when Russia, who intend to veto any UN resolution authorising force, threatened to freeze the process of nuclear arms reduction.
In a move to persuade Moscow to hold off on its veto threat, the Senate last week ratified the Moscow Treaty - a key bilateral accord that would slash each country's deployed nuclear weapons.
But Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov said today that the Duma (parliament) may not respond in kind if Washington maintains its hawkish stance on Iraq.
"The actions of the United States around the situation in Iraq could have an impact on the position of Russian lawmakers", he told Itar-Tass news agency.
US President George W Bush opened a third busy day of telephone diplomacy this morning with calls to United Arab Emirates President Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan and Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.
Yesterday, Mr Bush called the leaders of Angola, Chile and Mexico - all regarded as wavering members of the UN Security Council - where Washington needs nine votes to pass a US-British-Spanish resolution.
The other uncommitted nations are Pakistan, Cameroon and Guinea. In favor of the resolution are the United States, Britain, Spain and Bulgaria. Against are Russia, China, France, Germany and Syria. A 'no' vote from any of the first three would automatically kill the resolution.
US sources say there are signs that Cameroon and Angola are leaning their way after intense lobbying.
Meanhwile, the Iraqi government today reiterated its commitment to respect United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, the official INA news agency reported.
The cabinet, in a meeting chaired by President Saddam Hussein, reviewed "developments on the international scene and the shambles the US administration and the British government" have got themselves into over Iraq, INA said.
Agencies