Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Moscow would veto the US-UK sponsored draft resolution in the UN Security Council allowing a military offensive against Iraq.

Talking to reporters in Tehran, he said, "Russia is very much against this resolution, we will vote against it."

"We invite the USA to opt for a political solution, and this is possible," he said adding a war would have adverse consequences for the whole region.

He also expressed Russian opposition to US efforts to effect regime change in Baghdad saying no United Nations resolution has sought removal of Saddam Hussein.

Ivanov has called up his Pakistani, Chilean and Mexican counterparts to persuade them against voting for the US-UK sponsored draft of the UNSC resolution, the foreign ministry said in Moscow.

Pakistan, Chile and Mexico are non-permanent members of UNSC and their votes are crucial for Washington and London to muster sufficient backing for the authorisation of a military operation against Iraq.

Earlier, Moscow has cautioned that any military strike on Iraq would destabilise the situation from ‘Pakistan to Palestine'.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 16 Sub: RE:Russia to veto US resolution heehee..the funniest message i'v read. cold war indeed. russia is incapable of feeding its people let alone a cold war wirh US, and she knows ... Posted by rohan Sub: Russia to veto US resolution I dont like Russia going to cold war once again.Russia must come forward and understand view point of USA and this way two super powers ... Posted by harisaritk Sub: Learn from history It seems that Pres. Bush is little out of his mind for not showing patience which a world leader must possess. History is proof that ... Posted by Manish Chhokar Sub: Very good step by Russia and France I congratulate world leaders, specifically Russians and French for giving peace a chance. US should realize the importance of UN and also should take the ... Posted by mohanty Sub: Moscow to Veto Iraq Resolution Usa is doing dectatorship and has evry country has to veto resolutions. regards renjit n.s. Posted by RENJIT N.S.