ABCNEWS: Blair's Government Threatening to Split

Other government ministers closed ranks around Blair after International Development Secretary Clare Short threatened late on Sunday to resign if Britain went to war without United Nations backing.

Short attacked Blair for being politically, diplomatically and personally "reckless."

The move by Short -- a popular and straight-talking member of Blair's ruling Labour Party -- could prompt other disgruntled ministers or members of parliament to follow suit.

Cabinet Minister Robin Cook is known to oppose war without a U.N. mandate, one junior government member has resigned his post over Iraq and several more have threatened to do so.

Some 122 Labour MPs recently voted against Blair's stance on Iraq, raising questions over his political future if he goes to war without U.N. backing.

A recent poll showed that only 15 percent of Britons would back war without a U.N. mandate.

Hitting American media - Blair is in deep trouble.