"We are on the side of those who want to prevent threats to the world," Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar told the Spanish parliament after the opposition Socialists challenged him to explain his position on Iraq.
The center-right leader said he "hoped" for a U.N. resolution but added that his government would back Washington even if the Security Council did not.
"It is incredible that the Iraqi regime for some time has been trying by all means to acquire weapons of mass destruction and give cover to terrorism," Mr. Aznar said. "We will always be on the side of those who like us and with us fight for the cause of freedom and against terrorism."