Washington ? Saddam Hussein missed his “last chance” to come clean with the world, the White House said Wednesday, as President Bush debated whether to formally declare Iraq in violation of a U.N. arms resolution that threatened war unless Saddam disarms.

In a series of meetings, the president and his advisers swung back and forth on the question of whether Iraq is in “material breach” of the United Nations, which would provide what Bush considers legal justification for war.

Senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Wednesday afternoon that Bush had decided to strongly condemn Iraq’s weapons disclosure as full of omissions and deceptions but would not immediately assert that Saddam is in “material breach.”

Later, those same officials and others involved in the talks said the issue was reopened for debate Wednesday night, and Bush seemed to be leaning toward finding Saddam in violation.

Secretary of State Colin Powell planned to announce the decision today.