Cairo, Egypt ? Saudi Arabia will not allow bases on its soil to be used for an attack on Iraq even if the United Nations authorizes military action, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

Saudi Arabia earlier ruled out the use of its territory for unilateral U.S. action against Iraq, but had indicated it would cooperate in some way if the U.N. Security Council approved.

In the CNN interview, however, Saud said more clearly that Saudi cooperation would not include permitting use of its territory for strikes against Iraq.

“We will cooperate with the Security Council, but as to entering the conflict or using the facilities as part of the conflict, that is something else,” Saud said.

Pressed about whether Saudi bases could be used, he gave a definite “no.”

In Washington, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer refused to comment on the CNN interview.

Saud also said his government believed it was still possible to avoid war.

“Iraq has made a very clear and unambiguous promise to the Arab countries that it will abide by the United Nations resolutions,” Saud said.

The Security Council is debating a U.S. proposal to toughen U.N. weapons inspections after Iraq agreed to allow inspectors to return after nearly four years. The United States wants the council to authorize harsh measures against Iraq if it fails to cooperate.

However, Russia, China and France oppose the American proposal, fearing it would give a green light to Washington to attack Iraq without further consultations.

Security Council members expect the United States to offer an amended draft resolution this week.