Britain says Iraq deadline can be extended

Facing almost certain defeat, Britain and the US signalled today they would extend a deadline for Saddam Hussein to disarm or face war for a short period - but not the 45 days six swing council nations said they want.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer insisted that the resolution would be put to a vote this week but said a proposal being floated to push back the March 17 deadline by a month was “a non-starter.”