Voicing India's opposition to a war against Iraq, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday said the moral authority of the United Nations would be eroded if it backs any United States action.

"Majority of the countries don't want war and those we talked to are also against it. We have to ensure that the United Nations doesn't become ineffective and lose its moral authority," said Vajpayee.

The prime minister made these remarks while referring to the grave Iraqi situation in his address at a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Parliamentary party.

Vajpayee said that in case the US does go ahead with unilateral action against Iraq, it would be unfortunate for the international community and the erosion of the authority of the UN.