Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday a new UN Security Council resolution is not a prerequisite for a possible US-led attack on Iraq.
But Koizumi did not say whether Japan would support the military action, according to Kyodo News.
"I'm not saying the UN Security Council has to adopt a new resolution, but it is desirable," Koizumi was quoted as saying to a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee.
Koizumi said Japan will watch developments in the council before deciding its position on the Iraqi crisis.
"No one knows what kind of new resolution may be presented," Koizumi said, adding, "Some countries may change their current stances on the issue in the near future."
The premier also repeated a call for the United States to step up efforts to create a closer international alliance to deal with Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction, Kyodo said.
(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2003)
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