The United States on Tuesday accepted some of Russian-German-French amendments to its third draft resolution on Iraq in a bid to push for a quick vote on it.

The new version underscores that the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) will "cease" the exercise of authorities when an internationally recognized Iraqi government "is sworn in".

Another change is related to the mandate of the proposed US-led multinational force.

"In any case the mandate of the force shall expire, unless the new government of Iraq requests otherwise, when an internationally recognized, representative government of Iraq has been sworn in and assumed the responsibilities of the Authority (CPA)," the latest draft says.

The United Nations Security Council, which started its second closed-door meeting on Iraq late Tuesday, was still grappling with the US draft resolution.

A council diplomat told Xinhua that these minor changes did not satisfy France, Russia and Germany, the three strong critics of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)