Tony Blair was today facing an angry rebellion from Labour MPs in Sussex as the countdown began for a war on Iraq.

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper and Brighton Kemp Town's Des Turner made a defiant stand against the premier's plans for military action as Robin Cook quit the Cabinet in protest at the Prime Minister's stance.

Mr Lepper and Dr Turner said they could not support a military campaign against Saddam Hussein without a second United Nations resolution.

Hastings and Rye Labour MP Michael Foster, who vowed to quit the Government if Britain went to war without UN approval, said he was considering his position overnight.

All hope of securing international backing for war was lost yesterday when Britain and the US were forced to withdraw the resolution at a session of the UN Security Council.

Weapons inspectors were ordered to leave Iraq, with a major military campaign expected to get under way within the next 48 hours.

The MPs' opposition echoed the feelings of anti-war campaigners across the county, many of whom have taken their protests to the streets, holding candlelit vigils and demonstrations.

Dr Turner said: "I believe the inspection regime is starting to work and we should give it more time."

The MP, among 122 Labour MPs rebelling against the Government last month, said his stance had the support of his constituency party.

Mr Lepper, who also took part in the previous revolt, said he did not believe UN resolution 1441 justified war against Iraq and added: "The inspectors need to be given more time to do their work."

Mr Foster, parliamentary private secretary to Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, said: "My concern has been the legality but having read papers today that concern has been removed so I will consider how I will vote."

Dr Turner and Mr Lepper's stance is at odds with Hove MP Ivor Caplin, who was today planning to support a Commons motion sanctioning war.

Mr Caplin told The Argus Britain had tried to use a diplomatic route to force Saddam to disarm of weapons of mass destruction.

But he said this had been "torpedoed" by the French Government, which warned it would veto any attempt at a second UN resolution.

Crawley Labour MP Laura Moffatt is expected to side with the Government. Lewes Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker was planning to vote against an invasion.

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