The United Nations Security Council has backed US-led strikes on Afghanistan.
Ambassador Mr Richard Ryan, the Irish president of the council, said its members were broadly supportive of the military action.
The backing came soon after America said the strikes are in self-defence and that it may attack other countries in the future.
In a letter to the council, US ambassador John Negroponte stressed the investigation into the terror attacks on New York and Washington was in its early stages.
He said their self-defence may require further action with respect to other organisations and other states.
Mr Negroponte's letter touched off some concern President Bush's administration is set to expand the war it has launched against Osama bin Laden, his al-Quaeda terrorist network and Afghanistan's Taliban.
But White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer tried to downplay the prospect of any immediate expansion. "The letter states what the president has been saying all along, that the United States reserves the right to defend itself wherever it is necessary," he said.
After Mr Bush's pledge to eradicate terrorism, there is speculation the US might act against other states it accuses of sponsoring terrorism, especially Iraq.
AP
