Federal Opposition leader Simon Crean has launched a scathing attack on the Government, accusing it of pandering to the United States over Iraq.
Mr Crean's comments come as Prime Minister John Howard breaks his holiday for a special briefing on Iraq in Canberra today.
Mr Howard has begun a meeting with members of Federal Cabinet's National Security Committee.
The Government says it is a routine meeting planned to keep the committee informed about developments because the situation in Iraq is fluid.
Mr Crean has urged the Government to use today's meeting to step up pressure for a diplomatic solution.
He has attacked the Government for pretending to pursue a diplomatic solution, while preparing for war.
"The best opportunity for [a diplomatic solution] exists through the United Nations - clear mandate, clear timetable, allow the weapons inspectors to do the task," Mr Crean said.
He says the Government should "use the authority of the Cabinet today to put the pressure on [for] that diplomatic solution".
Mr Crean has also played down hints of a division in Labor ranks over Iraq, exposed when party power broker Laurie Brereton claimed the Opposition had failed to make its policy clear.
"That's a matter for their interpretation ... and quite frankly I'm not going to be diverted by what you consider to be key players misinterpreting our position," Mr Crean said.
"I've made our position clear today, I've been making it [clear] since April of last year and that is the issue of Iraq has to be sorted out through the United Nations."
Prime Minister John Howard has broken his annual leave to attend the briefing by senior military, intelligence and security officials.
The briefing comes after it emerged leave for Australia's elite Special Air Services (SAS) troops has been cancelled, in preparation for any war in Iraq.
But the Government says it is still hoping for a diplomatic solution.
Any decision on Australia's involvement in a conflict is unlikely until United Nations weapons inspectors deliver their report at the end of this month.
Today's meeting will also discuss the situation in North Korea
