Russia has presented a revised draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council to seek its backing of the staggering roadmap peace plan for the Middle East, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.

The new draft, which contains minor changes in its language, was circulated at closed-door council consultations, spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters.

Council diplomats said the council could take action on the resolution within this week.

Russia first put forward the brief resolution last month, which met a cool response from the United States. Washington said that it would consider the resolution only after a new Palestinian government was established.

Last week, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei's cabinet took office, giving Russia a chance to revive its bid.

The resolution would simply endorse the roadmap peace proposal and call on parties concerned to fulfill their obligations under the plan. Renewed Israeli-Palestinian violence has left the plan on the verge of demise.

The peace plan was drawn up by the so-called Quartet -- the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia. It envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state in 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2003)