Bush warns Saddam to disarm or face consequences

US President George Bush threatened Saddam Hussein with "the severest consequences" if he fails to disarm under a UN resolutions approved yesterday.

In a hastily arranged White House appearance moments after the unanimous Security Council vote, a triumphant Bush said: "The outcome of the current crisis is already determined. The full disarmament of weapons of mass destruction will occur. The only question for the Iraqi regime is to decide how."

Bush, who spurred the council to action with a September 12 speech to the General Assembly, kept up the pressure on allies.

"Now comes the hard part: the Security Council must maintain its unity and sense of purpose so the Iraqi regime cannot revert to the strategies of obstruction and deception it used so successfully in the past," he said.

"With the resolution just passed, the UN Security Council has met important responsibilities, upheld its principles, and given clear and fair notice that Saddam Hussein must fully disclose and destroy his weapons of mass destruction.

"He must submit to any and all methods to verify his compliance. His co-operation must be prompt and unconditional or he will face the severest consequences," the president added.

Iraq said it would study the resolution before responding. It has until next Friday to say if it will comply with its terms.

Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke would not comment on a potential military role in supporting the UN inspection programme, except to say any UN request would be considered. She did not believe the Security Council resolution gives the US military any additional authority in patrolling "no fly" zones over northern and southern Iraq.

While the US made some concessions to wary allies, the resolution meets the White House's key demands for tougher UN weapons inspections and the flexibility to take military action against Iraq if inspectors say Baghdad isn't complying.

At the same time, it gives Saddam "a final opportunity" to co-operate with weapons inspectors, holds out the possibility of lifting 12-year-old sanctions imposed after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait and reaffirms the country's sovereignty.

But Bush said he would not be handcuffed by the resolution, which he said addresses the concerns of allies "without jeopardising our freedom of action".

Bush strode into the Rose Garden from the Oval Office smiling. He said: "Iraq can be certain the old game of cheat and retreat ... will no longer be tolerated."

Washington and London spent eight weeks lobbying all 15 Security Council members, many of whom fear Bush is overly eager to take military action.