LONDON, March 16 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Shortly before the much-anticipated “war council” between the wartime leaders of the U.S., U.K. and Spain due to open later on Sunday, March 16, in the mid-Atlantic Portuguese Azores Islands, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said a war on Iraq would be legal without a new U.N. resolution.

"A further resolution would be politically desirable, politically better, but from a legal point of view it is not indispensable," Aznar told BBC television Sunday.

Aznar said that although Spain, Britain and the United States had "worked flat out" to reach a consensus in the Council, "we cannot do anything about those countries who say they would veto a resolution whatever its contents.”

"Obviously, it's going to be difficult to change their minds. We have done everything in our power in the last few weeks to reach a solution.

"We have made every possible effort to reach it but we must tell the international community that we cannot tolerate such unfulfilment of international law if we want a safe world," he added.

For his part, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, who will play host to the hastily-called war summit, said Sunday the U.S.-led war against Iraq is almost certain and it will most likely be carried out without the backing of the United Nations, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

"At this moment, according to the information that I have at my disposal, the chances are minimum that a new U.N. resolution will be submitted before any military intervention in Iraq," said Durao Barroso, a supporter of the U.S. hard line on Iraq.

"Even if the chance of a political solution (to the Iraq crisis) was one in a million it would be worth trying. That is my perspective but the chance of having a situation that dos not involve military intervention is, at this moment, very, very low," he added.

The United States, and particularly Britain, are keen to win the nine votes in the Security Council necessary for the resolution to pass, even if France or Russia then veto the proposal, as they have vowed to do.

This will leave London and Washington able to argue they have the support of the majority of the Security Council and lay out the “moral case” for military action.

The Washington Post, in addition, said Saturday, March 15, the United States was "certain to lose" if the resolution came to a vote, reinforcing speculation that the Azores talks will result in the resolution being withdrawn and the onset of U.S. military action.

Secretary of State Colin Powell hinted at that outcome Thursday, March 13.

"The options remain: go for a vote and see what members say, or not go for a vote."

However, that prospect looked increasingly unlikely, with the resolution so far only garnering the support of Bulgaria, with France, Russia, China, Germany and Syria lining up to block the proposal.

The six remaining non-permanent members are considered to be undecided. With Chile and Angola already voicing opposition and Pakistan reluctant to back war, the nine votes needed in the 15-member council looked out of reach.

Pope Calls Anew For Continued Negotiations

For his part, Pope John Paul II, one of the most prominent opponents of a war on Iraq, called Sunday on the U.N. Security Council to continue negotiations on the disarmament of Iraq to avert a military conflict.

"I want to remind U.N. members and particularly those who make up the Security Council that the use of force is the last resort after having exhausted all peaceful solutions, as stipulated by the U.N. charter," AFP quoted the pope as telling worshippers gathered in St. Peter's Square for Sunday services.

"In the face of the terrible consequences an international military operation would have for the Iraqi people and the already hard-hit Middle Eastern region. ... I call on everyone: there is still time to talk, there is still room for peace, it is never too late to understand one another and continue talks," he said.

The Pontiff called on all parties concerned to face up to their responsibilities and start solemn talks to turn the crisis off once and for all.

"To reflect on one's duties, to engage in efficient negotiations, is not to humiliate oneself but to work with responsibility for peace.

"I lived through the First World War and I survived the Second World War. For this reason I have the duty to say 'never again war'," added the pope.