Berlin, 1/28/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the German prime minister, Gerhard Schröder, declared yesterday that a decision on the war between the United States and Iraq should be based on a formal resolution of the UN Security Council after the UN inspectors have concluded their work.

"I know that the American people suffered because of the 9/11 attacks, but I believe it is prudent to permit the UN to lead the way after the inspections have been completed," said Lula at a joint news conference with Schroeder. The German prime minister said he agreed with Lula, and called on the Iraqis to cooperate with the UN inspectors. (AB)