By Katya Adler BBC Berlin correspondent

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder says his country will not support a United Nations Security Council resolution authorising the use of force in Iraq.

The US is speeding up its military build-up in the Gulf

This is the first time Mr Schroeder has announced Germany's voting intentions.

Until now, the chancellor had attempted the impossible.

He wanted to maintain the popular anti-war line that helped him win a re-election this autumn, yet at the same time to avoid isolating Germany from its international allies, the United States in particular.

For that reason Mr Schroeder had left open how Germany might vote.

But now, perhaps encouraged by the war-reluctant noises coming from fellow Security Council member and European ally France, Mr Schroeder - and his foreign and defence ministers - appear to have ruled out any support.

However, the chancellor left open the possibility that Germany might abstain.

Germany assumed a semi-permanent seat on the council at the beginning of the month and becomes its chairman in February.