MOSCOW, March 17 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - An attack on Iraq has no legal basis under existing United Nations Security Council resolutions, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Monday, March 17.

"Resolution 1441 does not give anyone the right to an automatic use of force," Russia's top diplomat said in an official statement before departing for New York.

"Russia believes that the Iraqi problem should be regulated by the Security Council, which carries the main responsibility for ensuring international security."

Ivanov was apparently commenting on the war trio’s - U.S., Britain, and Spain - argument that existing Security Council resolutions on Iraq - notably 1441 - give them legal basis to attack Iraq.

The British Government's most senior legal adviser claimed that military action against Iraq is authorized under existing UN Security Council resolutions.

Statements by U.S., British and Spanish officials have been trying to sell the same message during the last few days.