Bradford Council has reaffirmed its commitment to building a united district, at a special meeting to debate the threat of war in Iraq.

It recorded its gratitude to servicemen and women and their families and instructed chief executive Ian Stewart to report regularly on any military action which could have local implications.

Councillors were united in their wish to avoid war and the sombre meeting in City Hall was marked by its lack of political bickering and banter.

Security was tight in the building and anti-war protesters stood with placards outside the West entrance as members went in.

The meeting of Britain's fourth biggest metropolitan authority was called to debate a notice of motion by the Council's youngest member, Imran Hussain.

The 24-year-old Toller Labour ward member called on the Council to urge the Government not to take military action without first seeking to resolve the matter through the United Nations and other peaceful measures.

In his maiden speech he said: "I want to make it clear, I am a Muslim and I am proud to be a Muslim. However, in this debate I speak as a Labour councillor representing the views of my constituents in Toller ward, whether they be Christian, Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Hindu, black or white.

"I can speak with confidence that the majority of my constituents are opposed to the coming war and I know they are all uneasy and worried about the consequences."

Council leader Margaret Eaton said: "Most of us still hope and pray for a peaceful outcome to this crisis.

"But this will only be possible if we maintain unrelenting pressure on Saddam Hussain, including the threat of force, rather than casting around for excuses to delay.

"What we must not forget is that conflict will potentially put at risk the lives of young British servicemen and women, many of whom will themselves hail from our district or who will have family living here."

The Reverend Paul Flowers (Lab, Great Horton) said Bradford had the opportunity to show the country how a truly multi-cultural and multi-faith city might live at peace with itself and rejoice in its nature. "But we also have the chance to blow it," he added. "A conflict in Iraq may well provoke volatile emotions."

The Liberal Democrat group called for Mr Stewart to increase the level of community-based activity.