BRITAIN and the United States, it appears, will be at war with Iraq within a matter of days.

The arrival of B-52 bombers in Britain and increased airborne 'patrols' in the Gulf suggest military action is imminent.

All that remains to be seen now is whether such action takes place with or without the blessing of the international community.

It is clear that Britain and the US fail to recognise any significance in the latest disarmament moves by Saddam Hussein. They are too little and too late to halt the build-up for war.

Saddam's concessions to calls for his disarmament are viewed as the latest installment in the cat-and-mouse game he has played with weapons inspectors over the past 12 years.

However, while they will not alter the resolve of President Bush or Tony Blair, they may influence more wavering countries.

This will be the crux of the debate at the United Nations over the next few days, as members of the Security Council consider a second resolution on Iraq.

Going into battle with the support of the UN is vital.

If Mr Blair joins President Bush in unilateral action he will do so without the approval of the majority of his electorate, and without the approval of a substantial section of his own party.

Although he has indicated that he is prepared to take that gamble, it represents a last resort.

The Prime Minister's first task will be to continue twisting the arm of the President, persuading him to spare no effort in securing a second resolution.

And his second task will be to twist the arm of other members of the Security Council, persuading them to come up with a second resolution that will sanction military action.

A second resolution will ensure he has the majority of British public opinion behind him when we go to war.

But more crucially, a second resolution will bind together the international community and reduce the chances of repercussions of war in Iraq spreading to other parts of the Middle East.