UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a resolution that demands unfettered access for U.N. inspectors to search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

The vote is in line with U.S. efforts to win international backing for stripping Saddam Hussein of such weapons.

The resolution passed unanimously, after Secretary-General Kofi Annan joined the assembled delegates in the Security Council chamber.

"How this crisis is resolved will affect  greatly the course of peace and security in the region and the world," Annan said after the vote. "I commend the council for acting today with purpose and resolve."

The Bush administration reiterated its position that although it would consult with the Security Council, it is not required to get U.N. approval for U.S.-led military action if Iraq fails to comply.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte said Iraq will be disarmed "one way or another."

"If the Security Council fails to act decisively in the event of further Iraqi violations this resolution does not constrain any member state from acting to defend itself against the threat posed by Iraq or to enforce relevant United Nations resolutions and protect world peace and security," Negroponte said.

Immediately following the vote, President Bush read a statement from the White House Rose Garden saying Iraq would face "the severest consequences" if it fails to comply with the resolution. "If we're to avert war, all nations must continue to pressure Saddam Hussein to accept this resolution and to comply with his obligations."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking from his London residence at 10 Downing Street, said that the world community had chosen "disarmament through the U.N., with force as a last resort."
Iraq is accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction -- nuclear, biological, chemical -- in violation of the ceasefire treaty it signed when Baghdad lost the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz has repeatedly denied possessing such weapons.

Meanwhile in Baghdad, there are indications that Iraq might accept the resolution, finalized on Thursday.

The final text was approved with two modifications. It now includes one section in which the word "or" is replaced with "and." Also, the phrase "restore international peace and security" is changed to "secure international peace and security." (Text of  resolution)

The original language concerned France, Russia and China, whose representatives said such wording might be used by the U.S. as a "hidden trigger" for an attack against Iraq.

Syria had wanted to have language included in the resolution indicating that if Baghdad complied with the terms of the resolution, sanctions against Iraq would be lifted. Syria also had wanted language included that would declare the entire Middle East a "nuclear-free and weapons of mass destruction-free zone."

On Thursday, Bush spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and  the White House said "both agreed on the need to reach a strong resolution" dealing with Iraq.

A Russian official said Moscow still had "some concerns" about the resolution but he believed it had changed for the better compared to its original format.

Bush also called French President Jacques Chirac. Bush would not characterize the nature of the talks.

View from Iraq

In Iraq, an article Thursday in al-Thawra ("Revolution"), the newspaper of the ruling Baath party, said: "It is not in Iraq's interest to ignore or contravene Security Council resolutions, as others do."

In exchange, it said, the Security Council should recognize Iraq's rights.
Observers say the comments in al-Thawra indicate that despite its objections, the Iraqi government recognizes the resolution as its last opportunity to avert war and will likely accept it.

In the past, Iraq has said no new Security Council resolution was needed.

Nevertheless, there was widespread belief among Iraqi leaders and people on the street that war is inevitable -- that the U.S. goal is not to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, but to topple its leader and seize its oil.

CNN Baghdad Bureau Chief Jane Arraf contributed to this report.