The United States and Britain are ready to support a new United Nations resolution on the reconstruction of Iraq.
"We're currently looking at the possibilities for another resolution and what that might mean, which issues it would cover," British International Development Secretary Baroness Valerie Amos told the Daily Telegraphin an interview published today.
The United States, stung by the spiralling cost of policing Iraq, in terms of both money and lives - is now beginning to see the benefits of a resolution too, she said.
"The Americans are doing exactly the same thing (drawing up proposals for a new resolution)," Amos said.
The United States launched the war in Iraq without seeking a fresh UN mandate after France vowed to veto any resolution paving the way for the automatic use of force against Baghdad.
The Guardianreported today that Britain was considering using its chairmanship of the Security Council next month to introduce a resolution as a political basis for more troops to join the security operation in Iraq.
Russia and France have called for a new UN resolution on past-war Iraq, saying such a move would help secure greater international support for efforts to rebuild the country.
Amos said the government wanted to make it easier for countries including India, Pakistan and Turkey to join a UN-backed multilateral peace-keeping force. A resolution would give them the domestic cover they needed to contribute.
"There are some countries which would like to contribute to the peacekeeping effort but couldn't do that if there weren't another resolution," she told the Daily Telegraph.
It was "hard to say" whether weapons of mass destruction would be found in Iraq: "Obviously I hope so, all the evidence points to (them being there)."
The Guardiansaid British officials were also looking at ways in which the UN mandate could be strengthened in respect of issues such as preparation for next year's election and advice on the structure of Iraqi security forces.
On the situation in Liberia, Amos said President Charles Taylor must stand trial even if he goes into exile.
Britain is about to give one million pounds to the Nigerian-led peacekeeping force there, as well as sending money for food and medicines, she said.