Their main conviction is that American-led military action would be disastrous.

Compared with others in the gulf, Saudi newspapers, which often reflect Government opinion, have displayed a relatively accommodating view of the American-led action.

In the original view, restoring Iraq's physical infrastructure assumed an importance equaled only by the American-led military action in creating a stable democratic country and winning the sympathies of ordinary citizens.

The public split in the military's thinking comes as Mr. Clinton vowed again today to win allied support for stronger American-led action to force the Bosnian Serbs to make peace.

Palestinian security forces shot dead two students, one of them a 13-year-old, who were among up to 2,000 protesters demonstrating against the American-led military action in Afghanistan.

The State Department would also like a U.N. presence as a way of easing the anger in Europe and elsewhere toward the American-led military action.

It has condemned both the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the American-led military action to end it.

Complicating his task are voices within the governing coalition, especially in the Green Party that adamantly oppose German acquiescence to American-led military action against Baghdad.

However, Mr. Annan strongly hopes to avoid American-led military action against Iraq, which he fears could destabilize the Middle East, United Nations officials said.

At least the tacit support of Middle Eastern governments for any campaign is widely seen as important for any American-led action.