Blair out to win over war waverers

Tony Blair is expected to reassure MPs that he can win United Nations backing for a war with Iraq when he addresses the Commons.

The Prime Minister's statement on talks with President George W Bush comes amid fresh signs of unrest on Labour's backbenches.

There is unease beyond the party's "usual suspects" at the prospect of military action without a fresh UN resolution.

But a US dossier claiming to expose Iraq's deliberate weapons concealment has bolstered Mr Blair's suggestion that he can win over any sceptics.

UN Security Council members France and Germany have spoken out against war.

However, Washington is due to release the secret recordings of Iraqi officials as proof that Saddam Hussein is defying UN demands to disarm.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell will present the dramatic evidence to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, despite fears it may expose American spying secrets to the world.

Reports of the dossier came to light as Mr Blair returned from Washington insisting a second UN resolution was still likely.

In a joint White House press conference the President said both men agreed Iraq would be disarmed in "weeks, not months".

However Mr Blair also won limited support for his attempts to get a second resolution from Mr Bush, who said it would be "welcome" but not necessary.

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