Iraq challenges Bush to a duel

Iraq has challenged US President George W Bush to a duel to save the people of both countries.

Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan has suggested Bush faces Saddam Hussein in a formal duel - with their vice presidents as their seconds and the weapon of their choice.

"Bush wants to attack the whole Iraq, the army and the infrastructure," Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said.

"In this way we are saving the American and the Iraqi people," he said.

Ramadan said he was not surprised Congress supported a resolution that would allow Bush to use force against Iraq.

It "makes no difference," he said in Baghdad.

And he criticised US efforts to delay the return of UN weapons inspectors to Iraq until the Security Council adopts tougher measures.

"The Americans were surprised by the agreement reached by Iraq and the United Nations. So their reaction was unbalanced," he said, referring to Tuesday's deal between chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix and Iraq.