The vote, called by the socialists, communists and nationalists, was the sixth in less than two months on the Iraq crisis.

One of the motions asked Aznar to commit himself to immediately putting an end to an "immoral, illegal and unjust" war and said Spanish ships sent to the Gulf on a logistical and humanitarian mission must return.

The socialists also called on the government not to authorize the use by US troops of Spanish military bases and the country's sea and air space if they are involved in the war.

The second motion, submitted by Galician nationalists, asked the government to withdraw "the political, logistical and military support for the war".

A spokesman for Aznar's Popular Party said deputies had not voted in favour of the war but "voted conscientiously for the way which we believe is the shortest towards peace".

The spokesman, Gustavo de Aristegui, said the party wanted "a short (war) with as few casualties as possible.

With 83 percent of Spaniards opposed to the war on Iraq, according to a poll, public rejection could benefit the opposition Socialists who face Aznar's conservatives in regional and local elections on May 25.

WAR.WIRE