There may be some quiet warnings to Blair on the fringes that if he persists in his apparent readiness to back the United States in military action against Iraq he will be at odds with many of his fellow leaders.

CNN: European leaders

In the future, it should be the task of the United Nations to take action, it has the resources to act effectively and only the UN should have a mandate to use force.

BBC: Viewpoint: 'UN right to administer Iraq'

But Mr Blair would only achieve consensus in the Commons if he said any action would have to be specifically sanctioned by the United Nations, argued Mr Salmond.

BBC: UK condemns Iraqi oil embargo

International cooperation and solidarity should be promoted to support the implementation of the Convention and the rights of the child should be a priority in the United Nations system-wide action on human rights.

UNESCO: Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action