In a unanimous vote Thursday, the United Nations Security Council adopted a U.S. resolution that aims to raise more money and attract more troops for Iraqi reconstruction.

The Security Council resolution creates a UN-authorized multinational force in Iraq, under U.S. leadership.

Although the two of the three key European opponents of the war -- France, Russia and Germany -- have veto power on the Security Council, they announced hours before the vote they would support the resolution.

"We agreed that the resolution is really an important step in the right direction," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said during a meeting of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

Faced with mounting costs and casualties in Iraq, the resolution had been initially presented as a bid to ease the financial and military burden borne by the U.S. in Iraq.

Although it was backed by Britain and Spain, a French or Russian veto threatened to squash the resolution.

They, along with Germany, had been particularly disappointed by the U.S. refusal to include a timetable for the transfer of power to the Iraqis.

It was to be put to a vote on Wednesday, but with the three countries poised to exercise their Security Council veto, it was delayed in order to allow more discussions.

So, in an intense diplomatic blitz led by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Washington revised its resolution to accommodate the concerns of the three, as well as those of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It appears to have worked.

"Many things have been included from what we proposed," Schroeder said at a news conference in Brussels, where he is attending a summit of European leaders with French President Jacques Chirac.

"This led us ... to jointly agree to the resolution."

Council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. agreed to add new language about a stronger UN role in Iraq's political transition. It also makes clear that once the government is formed, the U.S. will pull out.

However, Washington did not concede to a demand the Security Council be given a role in establishing a timetable for transferring power.

To get more troops and funds into Iraq, the resolution authorizes a multinational force under U.S. command and calls for troop contributions as well as "substantial pledges" from the 191 UN member states.

While Russia, France and Germany have agreed to support the resolution, they said they have no plans to provide military or extra money for Iraqi reconstruction.

"The progress in our view is still not an adequate response to the situation on the ground in Iraq, and on those grounds, we do not see ourselves in a position to play a military role there... or to make a further material contribution beyond what has already been agreed," Schroeder said.

Powell told reporters soon after the UN Council vote, he hoped the resolution would encourage countries already interested in sending troops to Iraq. But it doesn't signal a flood of soldiers into the war-torn country.

"Don't see this resolution as opening the door to troops," Powell said.

"We will now be in contact with those countries to see what additional elements they need," he said, without naming any specific countries.

At the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said passage of the resolution would boost American efforts to bring other countries on board.

"It will have a favorable effect in some countries that have indicated they would prefer to have an additional UN Security Council resolution. Which countries and how many troops it might effect I think remains to be seen," Rumsfeld said.

The White House has experienced difficulty rallying the support of traditional allies such as France and Germany, since deciding to launch a military campaign in Iraq without UN support.

With reports from The Associated Press