UN weapons inspectors said they want Iraq warned of consequences if it obstructs their work.
At the United Nations, the two men poised to lead the efforts to uncover any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction endorsed the idea of warning Saddam of consequences for failing to co-operate with UN weapons inspectors.
Chief UN arms inspector Mr Hans Blix and Mr Mohammed El Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in charge of inspecting any Iraqi nuclear arms, met with the Security Council as it continues its debate on Iraq.
US President Mr George W. Bush has also sharpened his threats to take action to disarm Iraq if the United Nations fails to summon "the will or the courage" to do so.
The United States, backed by Britain, has been trying for seven weeks to convince the UN Security Council to adopt a new resolution aimed at ridding Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's government of any chemical, biological or nuclear arms, with dire consequences for any failure to comply.
But France and Russia have been leading efforts to dilute some of the tough language demanded by the United States.
Mr Bush told a political rally in Denver, Colorado, yesterday: "If the United Nations doesn't have the will or the courage to disarm Saddam Hussein, and if Saddam Hussein will not disarm, for the sake of peace, for the sake of freedom, the United States will lead a coalition and disarm Saddam Hussein".