The United States, Britain and Spain are seeking support for a new UN resolution that would open the way for military action against Iraq.
But France, Russia and Germany have lodged a counter proposal that seeks to avert war by giving more time to arms inspectors.
The division became acute after Washington, London and Madrid sought UN Security Council authorisation for warfare by introducing a new draft resolution yesterday declaring Iraq had squandered its "final opportunity" to disarm.
The draft, presented by Britain's UN ambassador recalled November 8th's resolution 1441 that warned Iraq of "serious consequences" if it failed to disclose and rid itself of weapons of mass destruction.
France and Germany came out strongly against the draft and a shift to a "logic of war". They put forward a rival proposal that would extend UN inspections for at least four months. Russia backed the French proposal as did China, with some reservations.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the resolution would provide Iraq with a window of about "two weeks or so" to disarm or face military action.
A vote is not expected until after chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports to the council again, probably on March 7th.
President Bush's national security adviser, Ms Condoleezza Rice, has said the United States would try to change the views of France, Russia and China.
She said the United States wanted a decision from the Security Council one way or the other in the days immediately after Blix's report in March.
But United States and Britain may struggle to get the nine minimum votes needed for adoption among the 15 council members and then dare France, Russia and China to use their veto power to kill the draft.
Germany and Syria support France; Spain and Bulgaria have publicly sided with Washington.
The countries whose votes are now crucial are Angola, Cameroon, Guinea, Pakistan, Mexico and Chile. All had favored the French position of more inspections but now are neutral as US and other officials approach their leaders.