Britain is less hawkish over Iraq than the United States and believes war is not inevitable, Malaysia said today after talks with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

"We are very happy with the reassurance that while they are making preparations, war is not inevitable," Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told a news conference.

"They just want to see some compliance with the (UN) resolutions (that Iraq must disarm).

"We see Britain is taking a more balanced view while the Americans take a very strong view, hawkish about the issue.

"Britain believes in a two-step process - that if there is a war there must be another resolution (first) in the UN Security Council," Syed Hamid said.