A FLEET of US B-52 bombers landed at Britain’s Fairford Royal Air Force base yesterday as Washington moved the aircraft that would play an early role in any war on Iraq closer to their targets.

PRESIDENT Bush’s administration was left with egg on its face last night after a debacle when a cargo of North Korean missiles was seized at gun point then allowed to sail to the original destination.

The Pentagon believes February will be the best time to launch a war against Iraq and expect defecting Iraqi units to help topple Saddam Hussein, it was reported today.

The Pentagon has started stockpiling weapons in the Persian Gulf ready for use in an invasion of Iraq.