US State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli's comments followed ambassador John Bolton's statement on Thursday that he was pressing the UN Security Council to approve a resolution establishing a force by the end of February . . . when the US presidency of the council ends . . . but faced opposition from the 14 other members.

Britain and several other security council members say there is support for a UN force, but want to wait for the African Union to make a final decision at a meeting on 3 March.