In a draft resolution to be released tonight Britain and the US are set to warn that Iraq is clearly flouting its UN obligations.

Setting out what many see as a timetable for war, the resolution will warn that Saddam Hussein has not met the demands to disarm.

It comes as France prepares to release its own draft resolution which calls for tougher weapons inspections as an alternative to war on Baghdad.

Number 10 said the UK's short resolution will make clear that Iraq must finally disarm.

Critics will see the move as evidence that London and Washington are making the final preparations for a war in Iraq.

"Saddam Hussein will be challenged finally and fully to do what is required of him - that is full disarmament of his weapons of mass destruction," Downing Street said of the draft resolution.

The resolution is expected to declare Iraq is in further "material breach" of its international obligations, triggering the "serious consequences" warned of in resolution 1441.

The government indicated hopes that the second resolution will be voted on by Mid-March.

It is likely that the draft text will contain a deadline for the UN to vote on Saddam's future.

The latest push comes ahead of a week set to be dominated by the Iraq issue.

Tony Blair will address parliament on Tuesday in a bid to rally MPs and British public opinion around the new resolution.

As ministers move to persuade a doubting public of the need for war, Blair was meeting with Dr Rowan Williams, the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Williams has already signalled his opposition to a war in Iraq.

Ahead of the meeting, Number 10 said: "It is inevitable Iraq will come up. The prime minister will be repeating the argument he made in Rome on Friday.

"Of course we will share the moral concerns about war and potential war.

"That is why the prime minister will do everything in his power to prevent war.

"But at the end of the day the choice will be Saddam's. We have to be aware of the consequences of doing nothing."

Blair is also facing growing international opposition to a conflict.

Whilst Italy and Spain have swung behind the war effort, relations with France and Germany have hit a new low.

France has said it does not yet see the need for a new resolution - and will call for toughened inspections as a means to disarm the Iraqi regime.

A key test will come on March 1, the date by which Hans Blix has demanded that Iraq begin dismantling its al-Samoud II rockets.

France has urged Iraq to comply, but if Saddam's regime fails to destroy the weapons it will make it easier for Britain and the US to gain support for their tough course of action.

But with nine security council votes needed to pass a resolution, and no veto by the permanent five members, it is far from certain that Blair and US president George W Bush will get their way.

At present only four countries - the UK, America, Spain and Bulgaria - appear likely to support such a move.

But it is not thought the crucial vote will take place until the next public report from the weapons inspectors, which is due on March 7.

In a bid to secure the necessary votes, Britain and America are making frantic diplomatic efforts.

The prime minister telephoned Russian president Vladimir Putin on Sunday, while US secretary of state Colin Powell spent time in China and Japan.