The UN Security Council has extended a humanitarian programme for Iraq for just nine days, after the US refused to renew the plan for the usual six months.
Council members agreed to extend the oil-for-food programme until 4 December so negotiations between Washington and the other 14 nations could continue.
The programme covers food, medicine and civilian supplies to ease the impact of UN sanctions imposed after President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
It allows Iraq to sell unlimited quantities of oil, with revenues going into a UN account.
Officials in Washington want to review the list of civilian supplies going to Baghdad which could have military uses.
Britain backs latest UN resolution
Meanwhile, the British Parliament has backed the new UN resolution on Iraq which threatens serious consequences if Saddam Hussein hinders the work of UN weapons inspectors.
An amendment proposed by the Liberal Democrat party, calling for Commons approval before the use of British forces in Iraq, was heavily defeated last night, although 32 Labour Party MPs rebelled and backed the motion.
Blix says evidence needed
Elsewhere, Chief United Nations inspector, Hans Blix, has said Iraq would have to provide convincing evidence if it wanted the world to believe it no longer had any weapons of mass destruction.
Mr Blix told the UN Security Council the advance team of 19 inspectors would begin work tomorrow after being out of the country for four years.
Mr Blix who has returned from a trip to Baghdad, also said Iraqi officials told him they had no banned weapons.
