So much for "whatever the whip count."

Salon.com News | U.S., remaining allies withdraw U.N. resolution The United States, Britain and Spain withdrew their resolution Monday, abandoning efforts to win U.N. backing for a war with Iraq.


British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock blamed France for threatening to veto the resolution which would have issued Iraq with an ultimatum to disarm by Monday or face military action.



"We have had to conclude that council consensus will not be possible," Greenstock said, flanked by U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte.