The US has the support of at least a dozen countries for military action in Iraq, even without the backing of the UN Security Council, Secretary of State Colin Powell said this evening.
If the Security Council rallied behind the need for the use of force, lots of countries would fall under that resolution," Mr Powell told reporters en route to the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.
"If they don't and it's still deemed appropriate by the president and other leaders, world leaders, that military action needs to be taken, there are quite a number of countries that have already indicated that they would like to have another resolution but without that other resolution, they will be with us.
"I don't want to give names or to give you a count because I think that each country should speak for itself on a matter as important as this. But we will not be alone, that's for sure. I could rattle off at least a dozen off memory and I think that there will be more," he said.
Meanwhile the Swiss foreign minister proposed to Mr Powell today to host "a last chance meeting" between top US and Iraqi officials.
UN weapons inspectors will on January 27 deliver to the UN Security Council a report on arms inspections inside Iraq.
Though inspectors say the speech is just a progress report, many diplomats fear it could be the start of Washington's countdown to war, despite growing opposition around the world.
Mr Powell played down those fears, saying that while US President George W. Bush would address the issue during his State of the Union address on January 28th, the world "should not expect to see any dramatic announcements" then.
He said Mr Bush would "lay out the US position carefully", the Security Council would meet again on January 29th and two days later Bush would discuss the issue with his closest ally on Iraq, British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr Powell said he was "sure" Bush would consult world leaders and then make a judgement.
Mr Powell on Saturday held bilateral meetings in Davos with Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey.
Turkey, a key NATO ally of Washington, is resisting pressure to join in a US-led war on neighbouring Iraq. The Australian government has pledged to commit troops despite domestic opposition.
Mr Powell is give a "major speech" on US foreign policy at the Davos forum tomorrow.
AFP