Saddam Hussein has to comply with the United Nations or leave Iraq if he is to avoid a war, Tony Blair has told MPs.

Amid growing speculation that the security council will block a second resolution, Blair denied he was "hell bent" on military action.

Speaking in the Commons, Blair said "it is plain" that Iraq is in material breach of resolution 1441.

He insisted that Saddam had to "disclose and destroy the entire chemical and biological weapons programme".

"Conflict even now could be avoided in one of two sets of circumstances. Either Saddam fully and unconditionally complies. fully and absolutely as we set out," he said.

"That is one alternative. The other alternative is that he leaves. But those are the only two ways of avoiding conflict.

"To people who say we are still hell bent on conflict we say today that it can be avoided if he does what the United Nations and the international community demanded he do."

Earlier in the day prime minister met with the Russian foreign minister as part of an 11th hour diplomatic offensive.

Russia has warned it is prepared to veto any resolution which could lead to war against Iraq.

Blair insisted that the UN option was still open and vowed to press for a vote before troops enter Baghdad.

"The exact timing of any vote is a matter still under discussion but yes of course it is still the case that if he fails fully to comply there will be a vote in the United Nations," he said.

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said the prime minister was "implying that Britain will still go ahead with military action with the US" with or without a second resolution.

"There is not a single leader that I have spoken to that disputes that Saddam isn't presently complying," said the prime minister.

"Surely he should be joining me in urging people to vote for that second resolution."