MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia stood by its demand on Friday that Washington seek explicit U.N. authorization for using force against Iraq if Baghdad failed to cooperate with weapons inspectors.

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Russia and the four other U.N. Security Council permanent members had moved closer toward agreement on a new resolution aimed at disarming Iraq which Washington suspects of developing weapons of mass destruction.

But, he said, "serious differences" still had to be worked out -- principally over how punishment would be meted out to Saddam Hussein's Iraq if he obstructed the work of U.N. weapons inspectors due to go there. He said differences also remained over Iraqi demands relating to the scheduled weapons inspections.

"We have grown seriously closer over a full range of positions," Ivanov told reporters.

"Russia has repeatedly emphasized that we are categorically against any formulas which would give someone the right unilaterally to resort automatically to use of force," he said.

This was a clear reference to Washington's desire to have a freer hand to launch military action if Iraq fails to comply.

BALANCING RELATIONS

Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council along with the United States, Britain, China and France, is seeking to balance a burgeoning relationship with Washington against long-standing and potentially lucrative economic ties with Baghdad.

Ivanov's remarks, made at a ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of Russia's foreign ministry, came amid reports at the United Nations that Security Council members were on the brink of agreement on the key resolution after weeks of haggling.

One Western diplomat said language was being exchanged among capitals of the key players as well as in New York on the resolution, which gives U.N. inspectors license to search anywhere for Iraq's suspected weapons of mass destruction and threatens "serious consequences" if Baghdad balks.

"Talks are very intense at the Security Council. I'm sure they will continue over the weekend and into next week," said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair .

The head of the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, told Reuters in Vienna that Security Council members could reach agreement on a new resolution as early as next week.

Iraq has denounced the proposed resolution as a "declaration of an imperialist war" that distorted facts and imposed impossible conditions.

It has agreed to allow arms inspectors to return after a four-year absence, and said it would give them unfettered access to suspected weapons sites. But the United States has asked the inspectors to stay put while it seeks a tougher mandate.

"HIDDEN TRIGGERS"

Washington has agreed to put off any military strike until after chief U.N. arms inspector Hans Blix reports to the Security Council on any Iraqi violations.

But France, Russia and China are concerned at what they call "hidden triggers" in the resolution that would allow Washington to launch a military strike, oust Saddam from power and later claim U.N. authorization.

Highlighting this concern, Ivanov said Moscow sought a resolution under which "in the event of violations by Iraq of one or another resolutions the question would be again referred to the Security Council."

"Only the Security Council would decide on how to act in accordance with the U.N. charter that provides for various measures including the use of force," he said.

This position appeared close to that of France which has called for tying future action against Iraq to a decision by the Council on the seriousness of Baghdad's failure to comply.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iraqi bodyguards stand guard in front a poster of President Saddam Hussein during the opening of a trade fair in Baghdad, November 1, 2002. Western, Asian and Arab firms turned up at Baghdad's trade fair to exhibit products and compete for a slice of Iraq's potentially lucrative market. Photo by Suhaib Salem/Reuters