The Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution on Iraq today. "I am pleased that the Security Council agreed on a new Iraq resolution today. The resolution gives Iraq a final chance to comply with the Council’s disarmament requirements and resolve this crisis peacefully," said Foreign Minister Petersen.

"The consultation process, which has being going on for two months, was absolutely necessary," said the Foreign Minister. "All the members of the Security Council have made a great effort to arrive at a result the Council could agree on and that makes quite clear what options are now open to Iraq.

"The uncertainty surrounding Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and the potential danger they pose, underscore the need for a new Security Council resolution. The carrying out of full and credible inspections will help us to clarify this situation," said the Foreign Minister.

"The resolution gives Iraq a final opportunity to comply with the Security Council’s disarmament demands; clear criteria and deadlines are specified for the inspection regime; and the Security Council must consider the matter again if Iraq should nonetheless fail to cooperate. Thus it lays out a two-step process without any automatic resort to force.

"The resolution is in accordance with the views presented to the Storting and which were given broad support.

"Now Iraq’s reaction to the resolution will determine the further course of events. Hopefully, Iraq will cooperate fully with the UN," said the Foreign Minister.