Powell hints war decision will come next week

US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday said “time is running out” for efforts to prevent war on Iraq.

He refused to predict when war would begin but hinted a decision on military action would be made next week.

Mr Powell said the US would not start any action until after the report of weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed El Baradei on Friday and would prefer to secure a second resolution from the UN Security Council.