US will fight bid to delay war on Iraq, says Bush

US President George W Bush said last night the United States would fight efforts to delay a decision on Iraq, insisting on bringing the disarmament stand-off to a head “in a matter of weeks and not months”.

“Saddam Hussein is not disarming. He is a danger to the world. He must disarm and that’s why I have constantly said ... this issue will come to a head in a matter of weeks and not months,” Mr Bush said after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. “Any attempt to drag the process on for months will be resisted by the US.”

Mr Blair praised his host’s leadership in the fight against what he said were the linked threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.