A protestor holds a sign reading 'Human Blood $1.09 per gallon' during a anti-war march against in the U.S.

LONDON, January 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – Majority of Britons and Two thirds of Americans oppose a unilateral attack against Iraq without UN approval, according to polls conducted in the U.S. and Britain.

A majority of Britons believe Iraq President Saddam Hussein does not represent a sufficient threat to justify a war with the country, according to a poll to be broadcast Monday by ITV television, Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.

It said 58 percent of Britons are not convinced Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction represent a global menace.

The poll comes as a further blow for British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is already faced with the prospect of rebellion from within his own Labor party if war is declared.

According to the poll, only 13 percent are in favor of British participation in a war if the United States intervenes without a UN mandate. It said 53 percent would approve sending British troops into combat if authorized by the UN.

Nearly a third, 32 percent, are opposed to any kind of military action in Iraq whatever the circumstances.

Around 30 percent of those polled think control of Iraqi oil supplies is the actual goal of the British and U.S. governments in any war while 24 percent believe the main aim is to topple Saddam.

Only 21 percent believe the objective of a possible conflict is to strip Iraq of its arsenal of weapons, as claimed by the British government, the poll said.

Blair, Washington's key ally in Europe, will attempt Monday to calm his ruling Labor Party's concerns over a possible war in Iraq by insisting he will not rush Britain into a U.S.-led conflict without seeking renewed UN backing, the British press reported.

Blair is expected to use his televised monthly press conference to stress that UN weapons inspectors must be given more time and that, if possible, a second UN resolution should be passed to authorize any war in Iraq.

Two thirds polled in U.S. oppose attacking Iraq

Meanwhile in California, two thirds of those polled in the United States opposed unilateral U.S. action against Iraq without UN approval, according to a survey released Sunday, January 12, AFP said.

Only one third of respondents favored a U.S.-led war on Iraq without UN support, according to the poll, taken on behalf of the Knight Ridder media group.

However, 83 percent of Americans favor a possible war against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein if it is led by an international coalition with UN support, according to the poll.

Almost half of Americans -- 49 percent -- said they saw terrorist network al-Qaeda as a threat, while around a quarter viewed Iraq as a threat.

Most in the U.S. said North Korea's restart of the country's nuclear program and its threats to revive missile testing, could place the United States in danger.

But around 79 percent wanted to see the crisis resolved by diplomatic means.

Only 15 percent of Americans polled suggested that the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush should prepare for military action against North Korea.

British support troops arrive in Kuwait: BBC

Meanwhile, British logistical support troops have arrived in Kuwait, BBC radio reported Monday, as a build-up of military forces around Iraq continues.

It said experts from the 102 Logistics Brigade would be responsible for transporting and supplying ground troops deployed to the region.

The move was said by a BBC correspondent to be in readiness for an expected announcement on British troop deployments later this week.