The Council's parliamentary assembly, which brings together members of parliament from all member countries, adopted a resolution describing the war as "illegal and contrary to the principles of international law."

A simple majority of votes is required to adopt a resolution, and MPs present represent both government and opposition parties from their respective countries.

The resolution said that the use of force against Iraq was not justified, and that there was "no evidence that (Iraq) posed a threat to the states which attacked it".

The council went on to express regret for the divisions revealed by the crisis, "between Europe and the United States, between European countries and between some governments and the majority of their people".

The parliamentarians present reaffirmed their support for the strategic alliance between Europe and the United States, but warned that this alliance must not be exploited to confront Europeans with unacceptable choices (or) divide them.

The assembly has been meeting in the eastern French city of Strasbourg, where the Council has its headquarters.

SPACE.WIRE