The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday delayed for four hours its closed-door consultations on a new US draft resolution on Iraq, which is likely to be followed by a vote.

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place at 3 pm (1900 GMT) Wednesday.

US diplomats said earlier the United States would ask for a vote on the draft resolution late Wednesday, despite disagreement with some key council members on a timetable for the transfer of the Iraqi sovereignty.

The United States fine-tuned its draft resolution on Tuesday night in accordance with amendments proposed by Russia, France and Germany. But it dismissed their demand to set a specific schedule for the end of the occupation.

The resolution would transform the current occupying force in Iraq into a US-led multinational force, and call for other countries to help fund the country's reconstruction.

Council diplomats said council members were making last-minute efforts to bridge the remaining differences.

"I think it's now between the capitals, making some last-ditch efforts," said Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya.

Diplomats here believe the US call for a vote showed its confidence in garnering the nine "yes" votes needed for adoption. But they added that a number of nations could choose to abstain.

France has already indicated that it would not use veto on the US draft, co-sponsored by Britain, Cameroon and Bulgaria.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)