Veto could let Saddam ‘off hook’, warns Blair

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday vented his frustration at France and Russia — warning that their threats to veto a new United Nations resolution on Iraq risked letting Saddam Hussein “off the hook”.

The divided United Nations Security Council is preparing for an open debate on the Iraq crisis, which could see US-led military action begin within days.

British diplomats are suggesting possible amendments to a proposed new resolution on Iraq, to avoid what appears to be an inevitable defeat in the Security Council.