Opposition members on Monday demanded that the government ensure that the nation came up with a united stand on the US-led attack on Iraq.

The opposition has consistently berated the government accusing the latter of reluctance to condemn the US in the strongest possible terms for unilaterally launching an attack on Iraq.

When the Lok Sabha convened in the morning after a three week recess, opposition members sought suspension of Question Hour to discuss the Iraq issue.

Speaker Manohar Joshi informed the House that External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha would make a statement.

The speaker also called an all-party meet in his chambers at 1700 IST to discuss the issue.

However, opposition members were agitated when Sinha circulated his statement even before the speaker gave his ruling on their demand for suspension of Question Hour.

The upheaval that followed forced the speaker to adjourn the House till 1400 IST.

Opposition members then met in Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi's chamber and decided not to allow the House to function till 1700 IST.

The speaker was forced to adjourn the proceedings soon after the House assembled at 1400 IST as opposition members insisted on a discussion on the Iraq issue.

Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Congress), Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Somnath Chatterjee (CPI-M) and Ramvilas Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party) were among those who asked the government to evolve a united stand on the issue.