Britain's ambassador to the United Nations warned last night that war with Iraq could be only days away.

As Britain and the US called an emergency summit in a final diplomatic push to secure a new UN resolution, Sir Jeremy Greenstock said: "I think we are talking days, and that's why they are getting together to see whether there is a last chance not to do it that way."

Tony Blair and President George Bush will hold talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar tomorrow in an effort to decide how best they can get agreement on their joint draft resolution on Iraq, currently before the Security Council.

The meeting will take place on the Portuguese Azores islands amid intense diplomatic activity at the UN headquarters in New York as British and US officials try to get the nine Security Council votes they need.

Meanwhile, President Bush last night announced plans to publish his "road map" for a Middle East peace settlement.

Mr Blair immediately hailed the decision to release the document as a demonstration of the West's "even-handedness" in dealing with Saddam Hussein and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Mr Bush made no mention of Iraq in his announcement in the White House rose garden, as he told of his intention to release the "road map" document on the appointment of a Palestinian prime minister.

However, at a Downing Street news conference an hour later, Mr Blair explicitly linked the two issues.

"I think it is precisely now when we do have all this focus on the issue of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam and all the things that he has done, that we say to the Arab and Muslim world that we accept the obligation of even-handedness," he said.

"We accept that it is right now that we have to say to people that the issue of peace between Palestinians and Israelis is as important as any other issue to us."

He added that the formal appointment of the Palestinian prime minister, Abu Marzen - which will trigger the release of the document - could come early next week.

The diplomatic efforts to find agreement on a new UN resolution were taking place against a background of continuing preparations for a war, now thought to be all but inevitable.

British troops with the 7th Armoured Brigade massing in Kuwait were addressed yesterday by a US general.

Lt Gen James Conway, the head of the US Marine Expeditionary Force, praised their bravery and told them: "It's great to have you aboard."

His comments came after US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had angered many British troops by suggesting that, if necessary, US forces could go it alone.

British diplomats in New York were hoping the decision to finally release the "road map" would ease their efforts to win over the six undecided nations on the Security Council who will determine whether they get the necessary votes.

There has been widespread criticism in the Arab world and beyond that the US has vigorously pursued Iraqi violations of UN resolutions while ignoring those by the Israelis.

The peace plan may also ease Mr Blair's difficulties with his critics in the Labour Party if the efforts to find a new resolution fail.

This weekend's diplomatic efforts represent Mr Blair's final chance to gain the new UN mandate for war which he desperately needs to avert a split in Labour ranks.

President Bush has made clear that he will push on with plans for an invasion of Iraq regardless, if there is no agreement on a new resolution by early next week