CIA claims Iraq has links with al-Qa'ida

George Tenet, the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, has claimed Iraq has had contacts with Osama bin Laden’s al-Qa’ida network. Addressing the US Senate, Mr Tenet said the two have been in contact, but their associations may be limited to tactical opposition to the United States and the Saudi Arabian royal family.

The CIA director offered no evidence to support his accusations, which have been interpreted as a further hint of George W Bush’s intention to attack Iraq.