US can disarm Saddam regardless of UN resolution, says Powell

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday the United States would introduce an Iraq resolution to the United Nations this week, but said Washington already has the authority to act, if needed, to disarm Saddam Hussein.

Mr Powell said while key members of the UN Security Council have yet to sign off on the proposed resolution, he expected strong support for unfettered weapons inspections demanded in the tough US Security Council resolution.

"I think it's a resolution that will draw good support from the Security Council," Mr Powell said. "But he added, "there's still a ways to go". President Bush, determined to oust the Iraqi leader whom he accuses of backing terrorism and developing nuclear weapons, is seeking to rally UN backing for possible war against Iraq should Saddam balk at weapons inspections.

Mr Powell said if Saddam refuses to permit UN weapons inspections, "The United States believes that it and like-minded nations ... will have all the authority it needs at that point if it chooses to take action".

Mr Powell said the resolution proposed by the US would cite Saddam's past violations of inspection orders, which date back to shortly after the 1991 Gulf War.

He said the resolution would demand new inspections and warn that Saddam would pay a price if he does not comply. While the Bush administration has long favoured a "regime change" in Iraq, Mr Powell once again said Saddam could stay in power if he disarmed.

"All we are interested in is getting rid of those weapons of mass destruction," Mr Powell said. "We think the Iraqi people would be better off with a different leader, a different regime, but the principal offence here is the weapons of mass destruction, and that is what this resolution is working on."