Blair says he is confident of winning vote on a second United Nations resolution

Tony Blair expressed confidence yesterday that Britain and the United States would secure backing in the United Nations for their resolution on Iraq.

Despite conflicting signals from France and Russia, the Prime Minister told MPs that the new resolution drafted by Britain, the US and Spain would be put to a vote if Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, reported on Friday that Saddam Hussein was still failing to comply fully with the UN's demands.

Mr Blair, speaking in the Commons, said: "If he fails fully to comply, there should be a vote in the UN and I very much hope the UN supports the position it set out in resolution 1441 last November, which called upon him for full, unconditional and immediate compliance. It is plain at the present time he is not in such compliance."

The Prime Minister surprised MPs by adding: "We are confident of securing the votes for that resolution. We will carry on working to that end." He refused to be drawn on when the UN Security Council would vote on the issue.

Earlier, Mr Blair held 50 minutes of talks at Downing Street with Igor Ivanov, the Russian Foreign Minister.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman acknowledged that Moscow had "a different perspective" on how to secure President Saddam's disarmament, but said Britain and Russia agreed on the need to disarm him.

In a message aimed at Russia, France and Germany, Mr Blair said: "If the authority of the UN is to be upheld it is important that what we said last November is actually implemented. If it isn't, then the effect on the UN, quite apart from the effect on the international situation, would be disastrous."

The Prime Minister told MPs President Saddam could still avoid war if he complied fully with UN resolutions, or left Iraq. "Those are the only two ways of avoiding conflict," he said. "To people who say we are hell-bent on conflict, we still say today it can be avoided if he does what the UN and the international community demand that he do."

He rejected suggestions from Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory leader, that there had been a "substantial change" in the operation of no-fly zones over Iraq, with increased activity by allied aircraft.

Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, asked whether Britain would backAmerican military action in the absence of a vote on a second resolution.

Mr Blair issued a total denial, saying: "No. I am simply saying that obviously it depends on the compliance of Saddam. But if he is not complying there will undoubtedly be a resolution put to a vote."

Labour MPs expressed fears that the US, rather than the UN, would have a dominant role in a post-war Iraq.

The Prime Minister said there were "all sorts of people" making statements on the preparations for humanitarian efforts but said "intensive discussions" were continuing. "I have no doubt at all there has to be a substantial United Nations involvement. That is what we are arguing for and what we want to see.

"I believe that will be the outcome," he said, pledging to disclose the plans as soon as they were finalised.