The leader of the British opposition has given the clearest indication to date that a war with Iraq is imminent.

Conservative Party chief Ian Duncan Smith, who was, on Thursday morning, summoned for talks with Tony Blair, emerged from 10 Downing Street to say that the prime minister is determined to press ahead despite objections from France and Russia.

He said, "The prime minister today told me that although they continue to try to seek a second resolution in the UN... that resolution is now probably less likely than at any time before.

"He made the reason for this as the fact that the French have been and become completely intransigent and literally threaten to veto almost anything that is put forward to the UN Security Council.

"That, and to a lesser extent the Russians, has meant that unaligned nations are finding it difficult to make a decision, because if it is going to be vetoed anyway they are saying, 'So what'.

"That means military action has become more likely, and with that in mind our thoughts and prayers... are with our forces and their families at this time."

The prime minister's assessment of the prospects for a new UN resolution follows France's rejection of Britain's compromise draft setting Iraq President Saddam Hussein six disarmament tests.

The French move has angered British ministers, who were working hard to win support for the new proposals. As far as Blair is concerned, the absence of a fresh resolution will leave him politically vulnerable, as many members of his own parliamentary party are strongly opposed to war.