Does the UN have to approve of a war before it can start?

Question

I'm speaking mostly of the Iraq War. Someone told me this, and I thought the answer was no. The President can declare war and get the approval of Congress.

Answer 1

To Guest5276 and others:

The false declaration by the United Nations that the current war in Iraq is illegal is fueled more by the fact that they were all profiting from the oil for food program. Even Kofi Anans son was directly involved. The 2003 invasion was not illegal. The United States declared war on Iraq in 1991. There was a cease fire signed by Iraq. Iraq repeatedly ignored the cease fire, and furthermore fired on U.S. aircraft enforcing the U.N. mandated no fly zone. Furthermore, it has been found after the invasion that a litany of munitions banned by the cease fire were in fact in Saddams possession (so what if they were not radiological, biological, or chemical, they were banned weapons!). Illegal war? Hardly. Resumption of hostilities after violation of cease fire, and defense of American service persons enforcing the U.N. mandates.