Here's a look at the different views held by the 15 UN Security Council members regarding potential military action in Iraq:

Permanent members with veto power:

United States: Says Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction, is not co-operating with UN weapons inspectors and is violating its obligations under UN resolutions; claims it already has Security Council authorization to use military force to disarm Iraq.

Britain: Prefers a new Security Council resolution authorizing any military action, but is expected to join U.S.-led action without one; says Iraq is not co-operating or disarming and that time is running out for inspections.

China: Believes inspections are starting to work and Iraq can be disarmed peacefully; wants inspectors to be given more time to do their job.

France: Says inspections are working and sees no justification for military action now; has hinted it could use its veto to block council authorization for military action at this stage.

Russia: Says there is no evidence Iraq is rearming; claims inspections are working and should continue.

Elected members without veto power:

Angola: Says Iraq could be disarmed peacefully through inspections and believes military action needs to be sanctioned by the council.

Bulgaria: Believes Iraq is not co-operating with inspections; could support U.S.-led military intervention without a Security Council authorization.

Cameroon: Supports continued inspections.

Chile: Says inspections are working and should continue in order to peacefully disarm Iraq.

Guinea: Supports continued inspections and has not taken a position on military action.

Germany: Insists Iraq must be disarmed peacefully and has said it will not participate in any military intervention, even if the Security Council authorizes such action.

Mexico: Supports continued weapons inspections and believes any military action needs to be authorized by the Security Council.

Pakistan: Supports continued weapons inspections and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

Syria: Says Iraq is co-operating with its obligations under UN resolutions and has said sanctions should be lifted.

Spain: Supports the Bush administration's stance on Iraq. Believes military intervention could proceed without Security Council authorization.