Saddam ‘can start war in under 45 minutes’

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday sought to rally support for possible military action against Iraq, urging a recalled House of Commons not to shirk from doing what was “necessary and right”.

Publishing the British Government’s long-awaited dossier on Saddam Hussein’s weapons programme, the Prime Minister warned MPs the Iraqi dictator could activate his chemical and biological arsenal in just 45 minutes.

The 50-page document draws on material from three British intelligence organisations -- MI6, MI5 and the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). It outlines Iraq’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons and to develop long-range ballistic missiles capable of hitting Israel or British bases in Cyprus.