We had weapons, admits Saddam

IRAQI President Saddam Hussein admitted yesterday that Iraq had in the past weapons of mass destruction but reiterated that it no longer had such weapons.

In an 11th hour bid to avert a seemingly inevitable US-led invasion of Iraq, Saddam made the rare admission during a meeting with a Tunisian envoy.

But he remained defiant in the face of Washington's military threats, saying it would be defeated if it attacked Iraq.

"We are not collectors of weapons, but we had these weapons to defend ourselves when we were at war with Iran for eight years and when the Zionist entity was threatening us," Iraq's state television quoted him as telling Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib ben Yahia. I confirm here that we do not have weapons of mass destruction," he said.

Iraq waged an eight-year war against Iran through the 1980s and has long been one of Israel's most implacable foes.

Saddam said Iraq was co-operating with UN arms inspectors who had not found any banned weapons, but doubted Iraq would be given a clean bill of health.

"Who will hang the bell around the neck of the lion and be able to declare Iraq free of weapons of mass destruction and is abiding by United Nations resolutions?" Saddam said.

Saddam reiterated that Iraq was ready to defeat any US-led attack.

"Ten Americas would not displace the people of Iraq away from its land, freedom, independence and sovereignty," Saddam said.

"If it attacks Iraq it will find under every rock and behind every tree or wall Iraqi fighters ready to fight and die as martyrs in defence of Iraq," the 65-year-old leader said.